Problems with 2003 Ford Focus ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Ignition switch at 45,000 miles, ford focus. *nm

The ignition of our 2003 ford focus will not allow the key to turn. there was no warning that there was a problem until it was time to leave for work and the key would go into the lock, the bell would sound, but the lock would not turn. according to the dealer this is a common problem with the ford focus, and they suggest you either get the car towed to their shop, or, if you can, drive it to their shop to have it fixed. the price to fix the problem is approximately $350.00 and is only guaranteed for one year. the car is two and a half years old. *nm

I have a 2003 ford focus with 44,000 miles on it. the ignition locks too frequently and has cost me not only money, but job related time and costs. i was told that it was not covered under warranty let alone as a recall. don't you need the ignition to ignite to use the car? *nm

I have a 2003 ford focus zx3, it has just a little over 48,000 miles. one morning (out of blue), the key lock would not turn over. luckily, i was home. as a result, i had it towed into a ford dealership. was charged an arm and a leg by the towing company (ford dealer recommended) and to make things worse, found out that my extended warranty did cover a (key/ignition cylinder) replacement compartment, would of been covered if it were the switch/electrical components of the switch. in the end, i had to pay over $500 for a part that apparently is geared or expected to fail on newer focuses (according to tow co., ford maintenance staff, and the random internet searches). i called ford directly, and at this point they do not have a recall because the government hasn't determined it to be a safety problem (they acknowledge a problem also). i guess if i were stuck up in the snow packed sandia mountains and my toes froze off, hey maybe they would consider it a problem. please, can you check into this, i hate to see other unsuspecting buyers, drivers, get hit with this unnecessary burden and out-of-pocket expense. any assistance you can provide, will be greatly appreciated. *nm

I have a 2003 ford focus, and just recently my ignition went out. the key will not turn and the steering wheel is locked. i know various people who own a focus and have had the very same problem. it barely started to stick the day before it finally went out. i currently am looking into my options on how to fix the problem. i am having a very hard time getting to work and getting around in general. it is very hard especially with two children. luckily it didn't lock up on me while i was driving. *nm

I have a focus ford 2003. i had problems with my ignition, my key will not turn to start my car, i took it to replace the ignition cylinder. after few months it did happen again. i just tapped the top of the key and will turn, but today it did not turn at all. i think is not right to pay extra for that expense, when the first think a car is supposed to do is start!!!*jb

Ford focus needed ignition tumblers replaced because the old ones locked up about 4 hours from home. luckily i read that almost everyone with a focus has had the same exact problems; however, ford has not done anything to remedy the situation. i had a lock smith fix the problems whom aaa referred me to. i will never ever buy a ford again and am trying very hard to become part of a class action suit against ford for ignoring this problem. i also tell everyone i meet not to buy a focus or any other type of ford because of their poor quality. *jb

Dt: the consumer had problems with the vehicle since purchase. the vehicle caught on fire on september 16, 2005. the motor was off, and it burst into flames. the fire department came and they said it look like it started from the wiring harness. the vehicle stalled before it caught on fire. was having the same problem two weeks before, and took it to dealer. they replaced some ignition items. also, was having latches, brakes, and engine problems. *ak

This is the second time in 1 year that i have had to have my ignition lock cylinder replaced in my 2003 ford focus zx3. *jb

Can't turn car on , ignition switch lock. asking 350.00 to repair this defect. *jb

I own a 2003 ford focus which has 52,000 miles on it. the ignition on the car has locked up completely and the ignition key will not turn the ignition at all. i have contacted the local ford dealership where i was told by their service dept. that this hasn't been issued as a recall by ford but they has "several" ford focus' coming in for ignition repair. ford assumes no liability at this point but they are happily charging approx. $500 for the ignition repair at their shop. i am very unsatisfied and feel that with the large # of ford focus owners who have experienced this same complaint, something should be done on a larger scale as it is obvious there is an issue with the mechanics of the ignition. a popular web site that offers advice to auto owners is www.edmunds.com and there is a large posting of complaints on this website pertaining to this matter. this can be found at the following web address: http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.eea50dc please reply and let me know if any assistance is available. sincerely, patrick miller. *nm

With just 43,500 miles on the car my ignition locked up and i could not turn the key to start the engine. the car had to be towed to a dealers repair shop to be fixed. *jb

I had to replace ignition kit about a month after i bought car new approximate date. *tr

Ignition switch went out while my wife was at work. had to get the ignition switch replaced. ford dealer wanted at min. of $100 plus parts independent mechanic replaced it for $65 plus parts. *jb

Ignition locked up towed to hilltop ford in maysville kentucky. was told ignition locked up and column would have to be replaced at a cost of $755.69. the warranity went off just 1,000 miles before this happened. was told they have had many of these problems a car was coming in for the same thing when we left.

dt: the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. the dashboard instruments fluctuated. at times while driving, the dashboard instruments stopped working. the service dealer could not duplicate the problem. *ak *jb

Our 2003 ford focus has had to have the ignition switch replaced twice. parked the car, turned off the car, came back to start later and the ignition swith would ot turn. first switch was replaced in july 2004 and the second one in march 2005. today while driving the car on a city street the steering wheel became so loose it is not safe to drive and will have to be towed for the third time to the dealer to be repaired. the first ignition swith was covered under warranty. we had to pay for the second switch. apparently this is a common failure on the ford focus and i believe a recall should be done. of major concern is this is the third failure on a steering column in a new vehicle.

The ignition has locked three (3) times on a 2003 ford focus in less than a two year time period. it appears that the ignition switch and/or components are substandard since the part has been replaced on two previous occasions. the ignition locked for the third time on july 20, 2005. the vehicle is currently at a local ford dealership for a repair or replacement of the ignition. the car was under warranty the first two (2) instances of this problem. however, the warranty has expired and this appears to be an ongoing problem.

Dt: 2003 ford focus. the ignition tumbler failed at 38,000 miles. randomly, the key was hard to put in and then it went out. the battery failed as well. the vehicle was no longer under warranty. both problems have not been fixed at ford. the battery went out yesterday and the consumer purchased a new one. the ignition tumbler started about 2 months ago.

Numerous occasions where the battery light would flicker and flash and the car would stall. ford issued a tsb which "cures" this but it did not work with me or many other focus owners (just search www.focusfanatics.com or www.focaljet.com). ford says they cannot do anything until it does this with them, but it is so random there is never a set occasion when it will do this. the previous owner has been at the dealership many times before me for the same situation. the battery and alternator have been changed and the pcm "flash" has been done over 2 times. even the service rep at the selling dealership said "this car really likes to be here for that problem". those were his own words. this is a safety hazard because it has stalled on my when i was in an off-ramp and i almost collided with the barricade an at an intersection.

I bought a 2003 ford focus brand new in february 2003. the car had about 300 miles on it. yesterday the ignition switch went out costing me over $250. this is not normal wear and tear! i went into a restaurant and came out. i was stranded. i've searched the internet for similar situations/complaints and other people had similar situations. i understand batteries going dead or wear and tear on brakes. i've never had this happen before. i've never owned a ford before either! is there something wrong with ford? is this statement true?: fixed or repaired daily.

Upon starting the vehicle, the key failed to turn in the ignition, and the steering wheel locked up. dealership indicated that the ignition froze. this was a common occurrence with these vehicles. *ak

2003 ford focus lx sedan - my wife went to walmart on the way home from work, and upon returning to the car the key would no longer unlock the ignition switch. despite many attempts (a locksmith was unable to come up with anything) we ended up having the car towed. the quoted repair price is roughly $400. there are seemingly endless accounts of this very situation with the ford focus ignition on forums all over the internet. there should be a recall or ford should extend the warranty coverage on this device.*ak

Brakes turn to sponges and goes to floor dealer says cannot duplicate problem and kicks it out now three more problems have arisen motor shuts off at slow u-turn speed and trans downshifts hard into low gear causing a face plant in the steering wheel, lastly the air bag light comes on and then goes off after 3 hours of driving.

On april 11, 2005, as i was leaving work in the evening, i placed the key in the ignition and could not turn the key. the following day, i spent some time on the telephone with several mechanics and key makers trying to determine the problem. i finally understood that it was a faulty ignition cylinder. on april 14 i had the car towed into bohn ford inc. at 401 n. carrollton avenue, new orleans, la 70119. (504) 485-2646. while the car was at the dealership, i searched the internet and learned from one website that there were at least 137 other people who had the same problem that i had. i found a second website with another list of people who were sharing their experiences of the faulty ignition cylinder lock. two people who posted onto the website mentioned the po5. i understood from them that the car could have been fixed for $24.58. the car had to be under six years old and under 75,000 miles. the staff at the bohn ford dealership was very considerate and understanding of my situation; however, when i requested a po5, they told me that while they were sure that i qualified , their office was not authorized to apply for a po5 at this time. my total bill came to $396.69 to drill out, code, and replace the ignition cylinder lock; and to cut, erase, and program two pat keys. the ignition cylinder lock problem on the ford focus can be traced at least as far back as 2001. therefore i urge you to begin a recall on the ignition cylinder lock. *jb

I purchased a used 2003 focus in january of 2004. the car only had about 42000 miles on it. i went to work one day and when i went to start my car the key would not turn. it gets stuck. the wheels lock and i have to jiggle it until it finally comes unstuck. i had to leave my car at work overnight once because of this and the ford dealer told me that it is a common problem but it is not a recall. this needs to be a recall. i will not pay over $200 for something that is happening to more people. *jb

After placing the down payment of $1500 and completing the paperwork. not even a week later the car began to stall on the freeway and eventually stopped on me in the middle of rush hour traffic. the car was able to restart and i drove it to freeway ford here in houston, tx. each time they couldn't find what the problem was. i hadn't enjoyed the car over a month because the car was given me problems when i had it and it stayed at the dealership. i spoke to the service manager and the dealership assistant manager and neither had an answer. *tr

We are a franchisee of an auto rental company. we have had a half dozen ford focuses that the ignition switches have failed on. these vehicles have mileage in the range of 40,000-45,000 miles. the ignition switch will just quit working. we have had to have the vehicles towed in every instance, and ford has refused to do anything about it or make any adjustments. it costs us over $400 every time. something should be done about it. these have been 2003-2004 model vehicles. *ak

While driving 4 mph, the consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood. suddenly, it caught on fire. the consumer was able to pull over and the fire department extinguished the fire. the vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection. the cause has not been determined at this time. please provide further details. *jb

Once the key is inserted into the ignition consumer is unable to start the vehicle, and is unable to turn the key. the steering wheel locks. the vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. *ak

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. the contact stated that the vehicle would not start when he turned the ignition. she called her insurance company and they advised her to strike the ignition with something, however, the vehicle was able to start moments later. the failure began in 2005 and has occurred six times. the contact took the vehicle to the mechanic and they stated that the ignition switch needed replacing. the current mileage was approximately 60,000 and failure mileage was 40,000.

I put my key in the ignition and it would not start steering wheel locked and car would not turn on towed to dealer cost was 50 dollars w/ extended warrant also happened to my sisters 2003 ford focus .the ignition was replaced . *ak

Ignition switch/steering column housing unit. *ak

Nothing lead up to the failure, it just happened quite abruptly. i put my key in the ignition and it wouldn't turn forward. also, the steering wheel is locked in place. *nm

Bought a 2003 ford focus iin july 04 and on 1/4/05 (28,406 miles) went to start vehicle and key went into ignition hard and would not turn at all. ignition had locked up. nothing would work and wheels were locked. had to be towed and technician had trouble due to wheels locking. found many complaints on internet of this problem in the focus. car was under warranty and it was fixed but if same faulty ignition cylinder is installed the problem will happen again and again.*ak

When attempting to start the vehicle consumer noticed that the the ignition locked and key will not turn. vehicle was towed to the dealer. *ak

ignition lock cylinder would not turn after the key was inserted the key was hard to get into the cylinder before it seized. i did some research and on the automotive talk net i was able to print out 35 pages of the same complaints with 3 to 4 complaints on each page. a few of the complaints said that tow truck drivers had told them they have had several calls with the same problem, as did the lock smith i called to fix mine. the cost was $200.00*jb

Three transmission failures and replacements. the engine, starter/ignition and 1 gear shift all replacements and other various problems. *bf four cd player replacements, the brakes failed, and 1 alarm failure. *sc the engine was also replaced. *jb

Hatch release had to be replaced due to an electrical short. . consumer was told that if it was not replaced, since connected to the electrical system, vehicle could catch on fire.*ak...also, replaced trunk release switch. *ak

2003 ford focus -- ignition locks and cannot be released to start the car. dealer (smith ford in lordsburg, nm) has to tow in to work on and last time even replaced the ignition. i am told that this small dealer has had 3 different focus' with the same problem. *jb

Ignition cylinder has failed twice since i bought the car in 11/02. the car is a 2003 ford focus. the ignition cylinder freezes and prevents the car from starting. i have had this cylinder replaced twice in one year. the first time on 11/6/04 and the second time in 11/27/05. *nm

2003 ford focus ignition cylinder locked up. key will not turn, leaving me with towing costs to get it to the dealership.*ak

Ignition switch on an 03 ford focus zx3 locks up. it was fine one day and the next it wasn't. the car will start but it takes time and fiddling with the key in the ignition before it clicks and unlocks and starts. *ak

My ignition locked. i had to have it towed to the dealership to be repaired. *jb

I recently purchased a used 2003 ford focus from menlove dodge toyota in bountiful in late september. verything was going fine, until one day my wife comes home an hour late from work saying that the keys for our car would turn in the ignition, she had to enlist the help 2 other co-workers & finally got it started after an hour of trying it. o i went out to take a look at the ignition and sure enough the key would not turn until after a bout 20-30 tries. so then i got to thinking, with this car having less than 50,000 miles on it i should have it looked at. after talking to other people & doing research on the internet, it appears to be a very common problem, which ford apparently fails to acknowledge. this is a very serious problem as what if you were driving on the freeway & your car stops running, your going 65 mph, the steering wheel locks because the key wont turn to the on position again. i called to get a quote on getting this fixed and was told it would cost me in the ball park of 200-300 dollars for a defect that is obviously a know problem by ford. have found a message board that other for focus owners have posted information on with the same complaint. my felling is, with so many ford focus owners out there with the same problem, ford needs to step up and admit there is a problem & issue a recall on these ignitions. here is the url to the site i referred to: http://www.autowhiz.com/messageboards/message.php?id=1784&page=1*ak

I started my car normally and drove to the store. when i came out from the store i got in my car, inserted my key in the ignition and attempted to start my car. the car would not start and my sterring wheel stayed in a locked position. i toggled my key in the ignition to no avail my car would not start. i ended up have to call a tow truck , who was the driver saw the model car immediately tapped on the ignition cylinder with a ball peen hammer and was able to start the car. what he said is this is common in ford focus.*ak

Consumer put the key into the ignition and the key will not turn. vehicle had to be towed to the dealer, and consumer was told that although the vehicle was under warranty it did not cover what was wrong with the vehicle. *ak

While driving and upon stopping the vehicle consumer was unable to get the key out of the ignition. *ak

1. several times within the past 3 or 4 days, the key in the ignition would not turn. after taking the key out and try again a couple time, it would turn. however, today as i put my key in, it did not turn; tried fixing it and turning it for several hours. no luck. must call mechanic or locksmith. car not functional at this point.*ak

Dt: 2003 ford focus. the consumer stated the key in the ignition switch lock got stuck. the vehicle will not go anywhere. this happend when the vehicle stopped and then started again. the dealership doid not know why this happened. this problem was first noticed on september 9, 2004. then it happened again on august 20, 2005. both times.gnition switch was replaced. the vehicle had to be towed both times. there were other times when the vehicle was very hard to start but it did start.*ak