Problems with 2002 Ford Focus ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Parked my 2002 ford focus on the street, when i came back the key wouldn't turn in the ignition and the wheels were completely locked up. called the ford dealer and they told me to yank on the wheel as hard as i could while turning the key, this worked after about 10 minutes, but after i turned it off, it happened again, yanking the wheel for 10 mins it worked. now i have to leave the keys in the ignition so it wont lock up on me. i am literally scared to turn on my car because when i turn a corner it feels like i have to turn the wheel way around. i am a young woman who works late, and i rely on my car to get me home safely..i am very upset because i cant afford to get it fixed. never buy a ford again! *tr

The ignition on my 2002 ford focus locked up. it happened out of nowhere. i was completely stranded and it took me a while to get someone to come help me. after some investigation on the internet, it became clear that this problem is well documented and known about. i would hope this would be considered for a recall since it poses the potential to strand people in less than desirable conditions when the only problem present is the ignition. *tr

I went to my babysitters to pick up my child and i turn off my car which is a 2002 ford focus tot go inside. i come back out 5 mins later and try to start it and the ignition was stuck. so it was towed and fixed for 400 dollars. and just a big pain in the '!@#$%. *tr

Ignition is locked. key will not turn, brakes are locked, gears are locked. costs hundreds of dollars to be replaced and i was stranded for hours waiting for someone to help me. ford replaces the ignition key with the exact ignition key as before, creating dejavu for most customers. *tr

The key in my ford focus will not turn in the ignition. this has happened once before and was fixed after hours of playing around with it. now it has happened again, without as much luck. luckily, i have been close to or at home when this has occurred. however, i am concerned that this could easily make me stranded one day. no warranty is available and my only option is to have the ignition replaced. *tr

I own a 2002 ford focus wagon, the key will not turn the ignition, therefore the car will not start. this has been going on for about a month. today oct 12, 2009 the key would not turn the ignition and the car would not start so my child missed school today because of this. this is getting frustrating i have only had the car since april of 2009 and this is causing me grief. i will not buy another ford focus due to this frustration. *tr

I own a 2002 ford focus. last night i was at school , a very late class that ends at 10:15pm, and when i went to turn my key it was stuck. after many failed attempts in a parking lot that is basically empty by that time and being so close to downtown and the light rail i was very afraid of being stranded in alone as i did not have my cell phone on me. finally security came around after about 1/2 hour and let me call my husband and also looked on the internet to see if this had been reported before by any car owners. turns out that this is the most common problem in 90% of ford focus years 2000-2003. i am amazed that this is public knowledge and ford themselves even acknowledge this and there has been no recall? maybe it will take something really bad to happen to someone before ford realizes how dangerous this can be? i sure hope that someone will realize this is a huge issue because had that security officer not come buy i would have been stuck there since my husband works nights. the next day ,today, i am not able to turn the switch once again but this time i am in the comfort of my own home. please i hope you are able to see the safety hazard in this issue that ford fails to see and ask that a recall be made. *tr

Sudden onset, got in my car, put my key in the ignition and the key would not turn to start the car no matter what i did. researched the problem, tens of thousands of complaints from 1999 to present, owners are stranded in diff. situations, freezing cold, extreme heat, with babies/children, stranded without the ability to communicate, young women (as in my case), at night, etc. cost to repair up to $750. am trying to fix it on my own, can't afford a dealer repair! ford is aware the problem is with poor quality metal used to make the part. i wrote to ford, they say bring my car in to "have it looked at" but qualify, saying: it is not a warranty repair and to have it examined may cost me. many other owners have posted temporary and lower cost fixes on-line as ford is not willing to do a recall stating it is "not a safety issue". this is a safety issue. if someone is stranded in extreme heat or cold or a young woman is stranded because a key won't work, we are at risk and unsafe. a young child could die from exposure, become sick, a young woman could be raped or killed. ford is risking our safety and is at fault particularly because they are aware there is a problem and can do something proactively to fix the situation. that this documented situation has gone on for years is outrageous. it's frightening to get in your car at night, not have your key work, not know what's wrong or be able to do anything! when we are stranded because ford willingly put substandard parts in a vehicle, we are unsafe. prior to owning this car i had a 1973 vw bug, my key always worked with the original parts. to be expected to pay upwards of $750 for a part and labor for something that should last the life of the vehicle, that's tied to safety is unacceptable. our cars are unsafe, risking damage waiting for repair depending on where they are stranded! my safety is not important nor an issue for ford, they don't care about my car, my trust was misplaced, my car was not built tough. *tr

A little over a month ago on august 23, 2009, we purchased a used 2002 ford focus from a ford dealership on oahu, hawaii. on the night of august 28, 2009, after filling the car with gas, we tried to start the car, but the key just wouldn't turn. we tried for about 2 hours to get the car started to get home (and to move out of the way of the gas pumps so other people could pump gas). we had several people help us, but the key just wouldn't turn, and we couldn't push the car because the wheels were locked. we finally called a tow truck, but luckily, my husband was able to whack the key real hard (for the umteenth time) and turn the ignition, at which time the car finally started. we got home, searched online and found out that this was a common problem with these cars. now it'll cost us about $200 to get the ignition replaced at a locksmith. i will not return to ford to do this as it'll cost double what the locksmith cost. what's sad is that ford knows that this is a common problem, yet they won't do recalls to fix it. we used to be a ford family (purchased at least three ford explorers), but i don't think we'll be buying anymore ford cars. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. while driving between 35-40 mph, the contact pulled the vehicle over and turned off the ignition. the engine was restarted; however, the ignition key failed to turn. roadside assistance towed the vehicle to his residence. the authorized dealer stated that this was a common issue with this vehicle, and they replaced the ignition switch. the failure and current mileages were 134,000.

Ford focus 2002 zts key ignition failed at 80,000 miles for over a year before the total failure there were at least 12 times that the ignition failed but finally worked after a few tries. i was left stranded on more then on occasion due to this failure and last time had to have my car towed to the dealership. the problem was fixed at the ford deal ship and cost me 450.00. i had to get a new key and a new ignition. i can feel that once again the key is rubbing the ignition the way it was before this problem was fixed and am sure that in the future i will have to replace the part once again. i just hope this time i won't be stranded. *tr

I own a 2002 ford focus , the key fails to turn in the ignition over and over again. i'm a young woman working late hours 45 miles away from home 5 times a week and i've been stranded several times. i've been dealing with this problem for years. to my knowledge, there are over 3, 045 complaints online. there is also a petition. this is a safety hazard and should be recalled. it's dangerous not being able to start your car late at night or anywhere at anytime for that matter. even when you replace the ignition cylinder, it happens again and again. it's a defect. please help us! it's really inconvenient , unsafe and very disappointing.*tr

2002 ford focus, key would not turn in the ignition, stranding my son some distance from home. had to have the car towed to a dealer and paid $285 to have this fixed (not including towing). *tr

On the 2002 ford focus, the key won't turn in the ignition switch and thereby locks the car in its present position. the car can't be moved so the driver is prone to be stranded and the car could be towed or vandalized if allowed to remain in a city street parking space. this could also be dangerous if there is an emergency and the driver needs to get somewhere quickly. ford should issue a recall. *tr

Drove to the store, turned the car off but the key was stuck in the ignition. *tr

2002 ford focus wagon rear hatch wiring harness frayed wires and no brake lights. *tr

The ignition lock on my 2002 ford focus is defective. it takes a lot of jiggling of the key to get it to turn. sometimes it takes up to 10 minutes to get the key turned. i'm afraid at some point i won't be able to turn it period. i have read many reports online about ford focus between 2000 and 2003 having the same problem. *tr

I had come back to my 2002 ford focus se, put the ignition key into the ignition switch & the switch would not turn. i had to pay $45.00 to have my car towed to a garage. the mechanic charged me $400.00 to replace the whole upper part of the steering column & redo the ignition switch that came on it. *tr

Faulty ignition cylinder lock, fails without warning. i had it replaced 12/15/07 and it is now defective again on 4/6/09. i had it fixed last time for $200, but it can cost up to $400. how this isn't a safety issue is beyond me. then again the pinto's exploding gas tank wasn't deemed a "safety issue" by ford, either. *tr

The key does not turn in the ignition so the car won't start. my teenage daughter drives this vehicle which can be very dangerous if it occurs in an remote area especially on a cold day/night such as tonight. fortunately, the car is in our driveway but it was pure luck that it happened there instead of somewhere else that could have left her stranded indefinitely in sub-freezing temperatures or in a secluded area. *tr

Upon insertion of the key into the ignition, the ignition switch fails to allow the key to turn, the steering wheel will not unlock, if it is locked. "tapping" the key into the ignition will allow the car to start and the steering wheel to unlock. cursory internet searches reveal that this is a very common problem for owners of this make and model. some owners report having had the switch replaced 4 to 5 times at the dealership with the same results. this indicates that ford has made no effort to correct the problem, even at the cost of the owner. *tr

I own a 2002 ford focus and my ignition has locked up and i have to leave my key in the ignition or it will lock up. i am presently searching for a mechanic or locksmith who can help in fixing this problem. *tr

No hint the ignition was going to lock up. stranded my wife in freezing weather until i get there. thank god for cell phones. this ignition issue is well documented with ford focus vehicles 2000 to 2003. *tr

The key ignition locks up and will not turn. there have been several complaints online. this should be considered a manufactured problem. the lock will not recognize the key and turn. i am stuck. *tr

My 2002 ford focus ignition is locking up with the key inside. constantly occuring. i'm going to research repair costs but have heard its very expensive and i thought since there were many complaints with this, maybe there would be a recall. *tr

Key is stuck in the ignition. it happened suddenly, with no prior warning of impending problems. *tr

I own a 2002 ford focus. i replaced the ignition on 1/16/07 when i had 51,910 miles. i now have $80,000 miles and the ignition is locking up again. i was stranded at work and my 18 year old son is now using the car and i don't want him getting stranded in flint michigan. ford motor company is aware of this problem. *tr

The key would not turn in the ignition. i had to hit the side of the steering column then try and turn the key again. this no longer works and i have to hit the key in to the ignition further for it to turn. i am going to ford this week to get it fixed if it does not cost a fortune, but had to wait to get it fixed until my break from school. *tr

Ford focus 2002 - ignition failure. happened three times. the third time was stranded in the cold weather with 9 month old baby until i could get help. my husband was able to start the car and i drove it to the dealer. it cost 350 to get fixed. i don't feel an ignition should break and then be replaced with a poorly manufactured ignition. i have read thousands of complaints online about this. this is a problem and ford should issue a recall. *tr

The key would not turn in the ignition at all. a locksmith was called out to see if he could fix the problem. he told me that this happens very frequently ford focuses. *tr

This complaint is in regards to a 2002 ford focus and the failure of the ignition module from allowing my key to turn. fortunately enough when this incident occurred i was not in a bad neighborhood or stuck out on the highway in the desert. it has occurred each time i've tried to turn the key, and it's only after significant effort and near injury to my wrist and index finger was i able to get the key to turn. i have researched online and noted many discussion boards stating the other consumers who have had this same problem. there is a petition circulating that currently has over 2800 online signatures regarding this problem. this is a very dangerous problem. it could occur in the wrong neighborhood or in the most isolated places and isn't safe for the consumer when they get stranded because of this faulty part that ford does not try to fix with proper materials. *tr

The ignition key continued to get stuck in the steering column and refusing to turn until i'd continue to fiddle with it, sometimes for over 30 minutes. very frustrating. the key has finally quit turning at all. the car is currently at howard's towing being repaired. the entire column is being replaced. very expensive. very unhappy. *tr

I drove my car to downtown as i normally do except this time i has the company of my 3 sons. it was 4 am in the morning. i parked the car taking the key out of the ignition and exited. at about 5:15 i tried to start the car by placing the key in the ignition and trying to turn it. the key would not turn. i tried again but again the key would not turn. i called aaa and the rep asked me to try to turn the steering wheel a little and then the key, this still did not work. he called a tow truck to come out to help. meanwhile my children and i were left to sit in the cold and wait for the tow truck driver. while waiting i pressed on the brake really hard and pulled on the steering wheel and tried the key again, luckily it worked. spoke to the aaa rep again and cancelled the tow. i woke up this morning to try the ignition again and it stuck again so i did the same thing that seemed to work yesterday, but it did not. fortunately i was at home this time and not on a mountain somewhere with my children. this is a scary thing to happen especially when you are with your children in a strange place. what if i were somewhere without a cell phone signal? would we have to wait until someone happens by or walk in the cold to get a signal. this is something that should not happen to anyone. *tr

Ignition key lock. the steering wheel of the car locks up and the key will not turn the car on. jiggling the steering wheel column and turning the key at the same time does not work. the ignition cylinder was replaced. *tr

I was stranded when my key was inserted into the ignition and it would not turn. this was a serious incident because i needed to be home to get my 6 year old off the bus and let him in the house. i was unable to do so and my son was extremely distraught. and then i find out this is not an isolated incident but this vehicle has a history of this. very disappointing. *tr

The ignition switch on my car will not turn over to start the car. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. when the contact attempted to start the vehicle, the ignition appeared to be locked, but there was power. he attempted approximately 25 more times to start the vehicle and also disconnected the battery, but the failure persisted. the steering, transmission, and ignition switch locked. the dealer and manufacturer have not been notified. the current and failure mileages were approximately 130,000.

I have a 2002 ford focus and the keys sometimes get stuck in the ignition and or the keys are not able to turn the ignition. i feel that this is unsafe. *tr

With no prior warning signs, key will not turn ignition. i was unable to get to work and subsequently lost $96 in wages, minus taxes. i cannot afford $200-$500 to fix something that will be replaced with the same faulty part, thus having to fix it again in the future. i searched the internet and found thousands of references to this problem, which makes me wonder why there is no recall. if so many people are having the same problem, wouldn't that indicate a faulty part, installed by ford itself. some people report having to replace the ignition numerous times, and that ford has not redesigned this part, nor have they admitted it is faulty or offered a recall. what a disappointment to thousands of consumers, which surely will affect future ford sales. when will ford own up to this problem???*tr

My car has frequent problems with the steering column, ignition locking which became problematic when i stalled in traffic and nearly caused a multi car accident because i could not start the car. *tr

Failure of ignition to turn on. programmed ford focus keys fail to turn on ignition. *tr

2002 ford focus x3, everyday i have problems with my ignition. i inset the keys into the ignition and the car locks up and the keys won't turn. i have to pray to try and get it to turn. well today it finally gave up on me and i had to leave my car at my moms for good. *tr

I have only owned this car for four months. first the oxygen sensor failed after two days. then a month later i began having different lights come off and on with loss of power. i took it in to dealership and to ford who could never repeat the codes. i replace the battery and this stopped for a month. it is now doing the same thing again. stalling or acting as if it will. i have to pull over and restart it several times to reset the computer to get it to drive correctly. i am frustrated because no one can find out what is wrong. this occurs intermittently but when it does it can be over 10 times a day. *tr

Tried to turn the ignition to start my car and the key would not turn. its a 2002 ford focus 2dr hatchback. it left me stranded for a few hours until i could have it towed. it seemed like the tumblers did not recognize the key. i could not shift out of park so i couldn't even push it out of the spot it was parked in. the entire ignition switch has to be replaced and the car restarted. *tr

Ignition switch failure in 2002 ford focus. *tr

Key gets stuck in ignition. *tr

Steering wheel locked and ignition key would not turn, leaving me stranded. *tr

My 2002 ford focus ignition switch will not turn. the steering wheel is locked because of this problem. the ford dealership says this is a coming problem with these cars, but there is no recall. the charge will nearly be $500. *tr

Key will not turn in the ignition. had to call a locksmith to fix for over $200. the car was fine but would not start at all. the problem got worse and worse to the point i was stranded after about a week. *tr

I have heard from many of ford focus owners of their problems with their ignition key getting stuck or not turning. i have been experiencing this problem for a few weeks now, where i have been left stranded at night or in harsh weather conditions. i believe that since this si not an isolated problem with a few vehicles and also considering the implications if vehicles not starting because of this problem in an emergency situation, should be enough to request to ford company, take responsibility for the design flaws in the ignition system. *tr