accessories - interior problem
8.2
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$341.00
Average Mileage:
78,844 miles
Number of complaints:
32 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace ignition lock cylinder (27 reports)
- jam the key into the ignition (3 reports)
- not sure (2 reports)
Helpful Websites About 2000 Ford Focus key won't fit in the ignition
2008May 05
Focus LS 2.0L
- Manual transmission
- 150,000 miles
This is the 3rd occurrence ime it happens...
The first time I paid $60 the first time to have it "fixed".
The second time I had the part "replaced" $275.00
This time... I haven't attempted to get it fixed yet.
Ford should do a recall. This is ridiculous.
2008May 26
Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
I just got through spending $964.00 to get new brakes, shocks, oil change, and anything else the car needed. Drove the car for two days, went back to speak to the mechanic for 15 minutes. When I left, the key would not go into the ignition. Mind you it was a holiday, so they weren't working a full day. They had 3 people try to get the key into the ignition before they finally called a locksmith. The locksmith told them to use a hammer because the key is worn and that this happens all the time with Ford 2000 Focus's. What a huge inconvenience!! I had to leave my car there again and find a way home.
2007Dec 12
Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
One night I left work, got into my car, and attempted to put my key in the ignition when it would not go in. The car was working perfectly when I had arrived at work that night.
I called my mom out to help. I attempted for about 10 minutes to get the key in. When my mom get there she also tried.
We came back to her house, looked up this site and tried some of the suggestions, after pounding the key in with a hammer it wouldn't turn in the ignition! Had to have the car towed the next day to the dealership
The mechanics drilled into the ignition cylinder, removed it, keyed a new cylinder to my keys, and installed the cylinder. All of this work on my car came to a grand total of $367.92.
I asked the mechanic if he had seen anything like this before. He admitted that he had seen it quite a few times. I asked why this hasn't been recalled. He didn't have an answer, just said their work would be guaranteed for a year... wow... that's REAL comforting...NOT
I've had more probs than this w/this car... I'm buyin foreign next time!
2007May 16
(reported on)Focus ZX3 2.0
- Manual transmission
- 115,000 miles
Got the car all packed up on Thursday for an extended Mothers Day weekend trip, get in the car and key only goes in halfway. I asked myself what Hank Hill would do and grabbed a can of WD-40. That didn't work, so I have to have a locksmith fix it. Interestingly, he said he said he fixes 2-3 Focus ignitions a week, and he's in a small town. Makes me wonder how many of these the average big city locksmith sees each week. Yes, this does suck but the car is paid for, has high mileage and it rarely ever has problems. Plus it happened in the comfort and convenience (albeit hot as Hell) of my own driveway. The ZX3 won the 2000 North American car of the year award, and my friend who worked for Ford at the time told me the sedan was a totally different car and was NOT included in the award. Since I RARELY have problems with my ZX3, I can keep a "Cup half full" attitude. I feel for those of you with the sedan, and Ford motor company owes you more than just an upgraded replacement ignition and an apology. Ford knows they can no longer depend on their pick-em up trucks to provide them with their bread and butter, so they had better start doing some damage control if they plan to keep from folding.
2002Aug 15
Focus SE
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
Trying to drive somewhere and your key all of a sudden not willing or able to go into the ignition is a HUGE problem. You start to question your sanity when you had just been able to put your key in the ignition and start your car just a few hours previously. No...you are not crazy the focus just has something ELSE wrong with it. Just add it to the ever growing list....
2007Nov 22
Focus LX 2.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 89,000 miles
My wife came to our marriage with a 2000 Ford Focus. It has been a wonderful, little car up until a couple months ago. Just recently, I went to start the car and the key wouldn't fit into the ignition. After jamming it into the ignition, I couldn't get it to turn forward. I had the car towed to the dealership where it cost me $380 to get the ignition replaced and new keys made. The dealership employee I spoke with said that this is a common problem, but even though he thinks this should be a recall it isn't.
2007Oct 17
(reported on)Focus TAN 2.0L
- Manual transmission
- 90,000 miles
Key ignition cylinder had to be replaced after the key kept getting stuck in the ignition. It happened around May 2007 and the dealership said that I needed to replace the cylinder because it was a problem that many ford focus' 2000 had. It should be a recall. The same kind of thing happened to me in May of 2004. I had to get a locksmith to come and get my key out and fix the ignition switch or something there. That cost me 200 dollars. The locksmith even said he saw this same problem on at least 10 other Ford Focus'.
2007Sep 17
(reported on)Focus ZX3 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 58,000 miles
After I quit my job I went outside to leave and my key wouldn't fit into the ignition, I have only had this car for 2 months (I bought it used) and this happened once before but after wiggling the key for a little while it went into the ignition, as with this time. After finally getting the key into the ignition the key wouldn't turn, it was as if the wrong key was in the car. I had to get the car towed and ordered a new ignition, I am now waiting for it to get fixed.
2007Sep 19
(reported on)Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 34,000 miles
I have had the ignition switch replaced 3 times -- paid for it twice, and the third time the switch was under warranty because it locked so soon after the second replacement. The switch locked about 4 months ago, but the man from the towing company taught me to tap on the key several times to loosen it up a bit. This worked for the past four months. However, the solution has failed me. I am on the route to my fourth replacement....
2007Sep 04
(reported on)Focus ZTS
- Manual transmission
- 75,000 miles
Can't put key all the way into Ignition Cylinder. Looks like pins fell out/into cylinder. Cost is Tow+Repair EST around 400.00. I called Ford and they can't help. I have Warranty but part not covered. This should be escalated due to very high recurring incidence and could become a safety concern if someone depended on his/her Car to start when trying to escape imminent danger.
2007Jul 11
(reported on)Focus 2.0L 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
My husband took me to work on a Sunday morning. He went to put the key in the ignition after walking me in and the key wouldn't fit. The car was locked up tighter than a drum and key wouldn't go in at all!! I took a break, went outside and finally got the key to go into the ignition. Unfortunately, it wouldn't turn at all! The car was stuck there with no way to move it or anything (at the delivery dock nose facing the building)! We finally called a tow truck who had to jack up the car and slide it around to face away from the building so it could be towed. Luckily we had towing on our insurance. The repair cost me $253.53 plus I didn't have the use of my car for a week. It took time to get the part, then have the keys programmed for the ignition. I now have two keys instead of one for the car.
My husband and I thought we were losing our minds! What in the world was wrong with the car to have this happen? The engine valve sticking, then the front bearings on both sides go out, then the ignition all within a month!! Ford needs to pay for the repairs for this problem and all of the others!!
2007Apr 16
(reported on)Focus ZX3 2.0
- Manual transmission
- 94,125 miles
I spent $110 to have the car towed to the Ford dealership and 380.49 to have the dealership replace the ignition cylinder. Prior to this weekend I never knew car ignitions would go bad. Based on complaints I have seen on websites devoted to this issue, you'd think Ford would own up to this issue. It IS all about the money! I'll never buy another vehicle in it's first model year again!
2007Mar 12
(reported on)Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
My key would not go into the ignition this morning, so we called a couple people and found out what to do.
We had to buy a new transmission assembly from the dealer, then we are going to have to have a locksmith come out and put the assembly into the car. This better fix the problem!
2006Jul 31
(reported on)Focus SE
- 86,000 miles
Key wouldn't go into ignition or wouldn't turn. It's a fairly common problem with this model. Call around for prices at locksmiths. I had bids from $150 to $275 in the Seattle area. For the sake of convenience, I accepted a $180 bid. He installed an upgraded model, not the Ford tinfoil replacement. Mechanics or dealers will just mark up a locksmith's work.
2006Oct 12
(reported on)Focus SE
- 50,000 miles
AAA came out to tow the car to get this fixed. Tow truck driver said I am going to save you money. Put key in ignition taped it with a hammer and presto it works.
2007Jan 25
(reported on)Focus LX 3.2
- Automatic transmission
- 66,000 miles
Aside from this and the light issue, I really do love the car. It's just frustrating to know that Ford is aware of this problem, yet will not do anything about it. Now I'm going to live in fear of the next time the ignition thing breaks again.
2007Jan 25
(reported on)Focus LX
- Manual transmission
- 54,000 miles
I ran into the store and came out and the key won't go into the ignition. The steering wheel is locked and at 8pm and I had to walk home. I took my spare key and tried it to no avail. The locksmith says he can't do anything unless I can get the key in the ignition.
The autoparts store doesn't have the switch, so I have to have the car towed to dealership and have them replace the switch tomoorw and I'm supposed to be at an imporatant inteview in the a. m. I am never buying another freaking Ford as long as I live.
2006Nov 07
(reported on)Focus ZX3 2.0
- Manual transmission
- 90,000 miles
Got up to go to work and the DAMN key wouldn't fit. I had to shove the @#%* out of it to go in. Then the key wouldn't turn! Thinking to myself..."What the F#@*!!!!!!" So I gave it a twist and punch attack and it finally started. This continued for about another week and then completely stopped like it never happened. It's like these cars are possessed! I hate but, love the car... it's paid for THANK GOD!!!!!
2007Jan 16
(reported on)Focus LX 3.2
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
My 2000 Ford Focus, which I recently bought, has only 50,000 miles and left me stranded in a snow storm last night. The dealer tells me that the ignition needs replacing to the tune of $391.00 plus a tow charge, not to mention the inconvenience. I own 4 fords, one Buick and a Chevy. I have owned 6 Fords in the past and will never own another. The dealerships don't attempt to help out. Because I was 30 miles from home, I had to have it towed to a local dealer. All my hometown dealer did was tell me that they are overcharging me by $125.00. After checking out the website and being apalled at all the complaints I called them back to see how many of these ignitions they had replaced and he told me a lot. Why don't they attempt to do something about this problem? My dad has a Focus that has had at least 5 recalls on it. I should have known better when I bought this one.
2006May 03
(reported on)Focus X3
- 130,000 miles
My daughter was driving the car and was stranded over 100 miles away from home. There is no reason this should happen. I have researched the internet and there are numerous cases of reports of this happening. Ford needs to step up and pay for this repair.
2006Dec 30
(reported on)Focus
- Manual transmission
- 100,000 miles
Key would not fit into ignition all of a sudden one winter morning. Now I see that many Focus owners have had the same trouble with this make of car. Do Not Buy One! I was stranded many, many miles from home. No previous indication that trouble was brewing with my ignition/lock tumbler mechanism. I was driving one moment, turned off the car, went into a store, came out, and my key would not fit into the ignition. Ford knows there is a problem and will not recall the Focus to fix the problem. I will not buy a Ford car to replace this car, and will recommend to all family and friends and anyone I see shopping a Ford parking lot not to buy a Ford car.
2006Nov 23
(reported on)Focus SE
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
There is a serious, on-going problem with the ignition switch of the Ford Focus, 2000 and beyond. There is no recall action taken, as of yet but the Ford Motors Corporation isn't doing their professional duty to the consumer by making this switch and its repair a recall item.
We Americans have made this vehicle the fifth best seller in the country and have all chosen to buy USA. The Ford Motors Corporation have a fair business practice to "fess" up to this and they need to do it most expediently. Who is our (Focus owners) advocate.
I have more than 100,000 miles on this otherwise, great car but from the horror stories that I have read about the Ford dealers taking so much money from their "faithful and valued customers", (upwards of $370.00) and I'm getting close to having mine done, these pioneers (paid and disgruntled ones) and others are exhausted.
HELP, SOMEONE!
2006Oct 31
(reported on)Focus SE
- Automatic transmission
- 131,000 miles
CRAZY I say, again for the second time we have had to deal with this issue. The first time was 3 years after we got the car the key wouldn't turn and couldn't start the car. So then we had to pay to get the cylinder replaced. Now its exactly 3 yrs again and the Opp guess what, started doing it again. Key going in but not catching and wont turn, ONE day before we were going to go to an auto event to trade in this ford crapus. But we brought pictures and they took this thing off our hands. This is the worst CAR we have ever had...... things go wrong that you hardly even use, and prior to this there were 5 other things that went wrong in one month.
2006Jun 14
(reported on)Focus
- 30,000 miles
The key will not go into the ignition, can't turn ignition tumbler to start the car
2006Jun 05
(reported on)Focus LX
- 43,800 miles
I was getting ready to leave work when my key would not fit in the ignition. I worked on it for 15 minutes b/f I decided to go in and ask someone else to try it. I felt sooo humiliated b/c I am a girl and I couldn't get the key in the ignition, but to my avail no one else could either. I called by boyfriend who drove 30 mi. to my rescue to try a spare key. When that didn't work he forced the key in until it worked. Now I just drive around with the key in it while I am working and carry a can of WD40.
2006Mar 17
(reported on)Focus SE
- 58,600 miles
I just don't understand why my car won't let me drive it. It happened 2 weeks ago and has been fine and out of nowhere, I can't get it to work.... It sucks, I was almost late for work and that's not cool. Why does my Focus keep having issues. Stupid focus!!f
2005Nov 26
(reported on)Focus ZTS
- 70,000 miles
this is the second time. this time i lost 2 days of work, thats money, got stress and wasted my time.
makes me wonder if this car has a problem with the ignition......
2005Nov 05
(reported on)Focus SE
- 89,000 miles
The key did not fit into the ignition making the car undriveable. Mechanic charged $350 to change the ignition module!!! Absolutely atrocious problem.... my boss thought I was lying when I said I could not come in because of this ridiculous problem. Towing the car cost another $75!!!
2005Feb 08
(reported on)Focus SE
- 78,000 miles
pulling key ignition and the key will not turn at all at any even time. This is the second ignition in less than 2 years. One in June or July 2003, now another one February 2005 at $400.00 each time
2005Feb 15
(reported on)Focus SE
- 77,637 miles
i want Ford to repay me for the replacement of the two ignitions.
2003Nov 17
(reported on)Focus SE
- 64,844 miles
IT SUCKS!! THAT WILL MAKE A PERSON THINK THEY HAVE LOST THEIR MIND, YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT CAR AND THAT IS THE KEY. HAHAAHA. AFTER REPLACING INGNITION CYLINDER LOCK, YOU'LL NEED TO HAVE NEW KEYS MADE. THESE CARS SHOULD RECALLED ALL TOGETHER AND REPLACED.
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2008Jun 24
Focus ZX3 2.0L 4-cyl,
Ok I bought the ford focus because it was supposed to be a reliable car. So far I have had nothing but problems with it. the other day I was at the GYM and the key would not fit in the ignition. I called the ford dealership and they told me it was a very common problem with 2000-2004 focuses, and it would be about 400 dollars to replace it. I asked them why there was never a recall and he said "because it was not a safety issue." well i can think a few ways this is a safety issue, I like to go Snowboarding and getting stuck on a mountain in freezing cold temp. I thing that could be a safety issue. I looked online and people recommend seeing a locksmith because they will charge less, take less time, and replace it with a better part. I will never, ever, buy a ford again it was 100 degrees and i was stuck in a parking lot for an hour, and because i couldn't put in the key i couldn't move the steering wheel, so i couldn't get the car towed, the parking lot was full. I had to come back at midnight to get the damn thing towed. As soon as i get this thing fixed i am selling it.
pjg1989
Albuquerque, NM, USA
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