Problems with 2004 Ford Focus ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The key will not turn in the ignition of my 2004 ford focus.*cn

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

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 accident or damage to the car prior to this issue. the local ford dealers told me it would cost between $400-500 to fix, and it seems that many times, the new parts are also defective and the problem returns. as this appears to be a widespread problem among focus owners, please consider issuing a safety recall for this make and model. *tr

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

2004 ford focus ignition key lockout failure. had to replace tumbler. *tr

There were no events leading to this problem. it just happened out of no were. my key would not turn in the ignition. *tr

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 things, not being able to turn the key also means i couldn't put the car in neutral to push it out of the way of traffic. that this has not been addressed is simply appalling. *tr

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 (50 mi each way). before having the car towed to a garage, i contacted someone at a ford dealer who said this was a common problem. he suggested tapping on the key with a hard object (i used a pocket knife) while turning the key and it worked! so the car is now sitting in my driveway until i can get it started again to take it into the shop. estimated repair cost $450.00 and this doesn't include the cost to re-key. my husband also has 2004 ford focus (we bought them on the same day) and is also having problems with the ignition tumbler--how coincidental is that? sounds like a serious defect to me. i can't believe the ford company isn't taking any responsibility for this issue. i own 3 fords and will never buy one again! *tr

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

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.

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.

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

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 and current mileage was 14,200. updated 01-14-08. *kb updated 12/12/07

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 $150 for the part. the purchase date and dealer information were unknown. the current and failure mileages were 50,000.

I was stranded over the weekend at a gas station in the middle of nowhere because my key wouldn't turn, it seemed locked in my ignition. i really needed my car to start to get out of there but couldn't and was approached by a mentally insane man asking me for a ride. nothing has been done to fix my car because they aren't open until monday. *tr

The shifter, steering wheel and ignition key all lock up on my 2004 ford focus. i simply guide my car to where i want to park it. stop, put the car in park and turn off the car. when i go to start my car again, everything is locked up and takes a long time to get it unlocked. i almost have to break off the key to get it started. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford focus. the contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while parked. he has not contacted the dealer or manufacturer. the fire department arrived at the scene and are currently filing a report. the fire was caused by the electrical system of the driver side battery. the vehicle is no longer able to be driven. the contact researched other vehicles like his and noticed a pattern of fire related failures. the current and failure mileages were 32,000.

Ford focus ignition key won't turn. *tr

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

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

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford focus. the contact stated that at any given time, the ignition locks up. as a result, she is unable to open the windows, doors, start the vehicle, or operate the vehicle in any capacity. ford advised her to shake the vehicle and move the steering wheel back and forth. ford also advised her husband to take a mallard and strike the ignition in an attempt to release the key. if none of those solutions worked, the contact was informed to bring the vehicle to the dealer because the part is probably defective. the contact heeded ford's instructions, but the failure still occurred. the manufacturer stated that they are aware of the issue, however, the plateau of concern is not great enough to issue a recall. the dealer stated that the cost to repair the vehicle is $432 and that the part is definitely defective. the vin and engine size were unknown. the current mileage is 58,000 and failure mileage was 55,000.

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 ignition and to turn. exactly 2 weeks and 2 days after the problem arose, i went to start my car and this time it took 10 minutes to get to key into the ignition and to turn. that same night i was attempting to leave a friends house, and again the key has trouble going into the ignition, and once in it wont turn, the steering wheel is locked, and i'm stuck. my husband has another key to the car, so we tried alternating the keys. we sat in the driveway for 30 minutes, trying both keys alternately, and the key just wouldn't turn. we had to get a ride home and are without a car now. our mechanic said the same thing happened to someone else with the same car last week, and it cost them $420 for parts/repairs. we have to wait until next week when we can affords the repairs. i have read numerous consumer complaints about the same problem with the same car (ford focus, several years/models) some of them even had to replace the same part more than one time. this is obviously a faulty part, and ford should be conducting some sort of recall to fix the part. *tr

2004 ford focus. ignition got stuck key won't turn. *tr

I purchased a 2004 svt focus 10/06. in 12/06, the coil pack went bad, they fixed the vehicle under warranty. on 3/9/07 as i was leaving a friends house, the same symptoms happened to me as this past december, then went away very quickly. i made the decision to drive my vehicle home and call the dealership. i never made it home. about a 1/4 mile from my friends house, the vehicle began to shake and shutter very violently. i pulled over quickly and smoke started to come from under the hood. i lifted the hood and the coil pack that had been replaced was glowing red and shooting sparks and began to not only catch itself on fire, but started setting all the cables and other things on fire.at the same time the clutch also exploded and blew through the bellhousing. which there is a tsb issued by ford on. also, at this time, the vehicle was still trying to run all on its own, and the keys were in my pocket. i am unsure of the exact cause of the fire, but it was not done by anything that i was doing or had done to the vehicle. it currently has 35,900 miles on it and is still under warranty. side note, after the whole incident with the coil pack back in december, i just recently decided to pull up the history on my vehicle from ford's database. in december i was brought into the office at the dealership and almost blamed for abuse of the coil because it was so destroyed. yet, when i looked up my history it says that all that was replaced was a connector on the coil, not the coil itself. so, the coil was never actually replaced, but i was almost being blamed for destroying my coil. i am still fighting to get my vehicle fixed under warranty and being treated very poorly. i am a mechanic by trade and i'm being talked to and treated like a 5 year old anytime i try to get answers. they are still not taking responsiblity for the mechanical/electrical failure of their vehicle that they claimed to fix. *ak

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 dealership did repair the problem, but i had to pay over $200 for it. *nm

Ignition cylinder locked up occasionally. after wiggling the key, it would always crank eventually. cylinder would not turn and therefore car would not start. cylinder is a "dealer only" part. ford will not let others sell this part because then no one would buy their defective part. *tr

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

Ignition lock on 2004 ford focus failed (froze up). this is the same scenario that has been widely reported on the internet for which ford has not done a recall. ford did repair this under warranty at no charge to me, but since this problem appears to be chronic, i want to be sure that the incidence of the problem is recorded. *jb

Ignition switch wont turn which prevents the car from starting this happens on a daily basis, for way over a yr now. tow truck driver told me this is common problem with this 2004 zx3 focus. he said to hit the key a couple of times with your hand and it will turn, and it does. only way the car will start. called my local ford dealer and was told 550.00 to replace. so still not replaced. *tr

I have had my 2004 ford focus for about 6 months, and i had boughten it used. it has run very well with no problems at all up until recently. i have gone to start my car, and the key would get stuck and not turn over and the wheel would lock up. after several attempts, the car would start and run fine. yesterday it took me almost 2 hours to turn the key over to get my car to start. today i called a ford dealership, because they think that i need a new ignition. *nm

Locking of ignition in ford focus. *jb

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 this particular model from its inception in 2000. the particular failed ignition cylinder installed in the vehicle listed has had numerous issues in the past, but each time resolved the problem within minutes. not this time. it had to be repaired through destructive disassembly, ie the cylinder lock needed to be drilled and replaced. *nm

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

On october 26, 2006 at 8:00 am i tried to start my vehicle and the ignition key would not turn. i called the ford dealership and the service person said it sounded like an ignition lock and he said he was familiar with the repair. i was informed that they had no towing service. due to the fact that the dealership was approximately 12 miles away, i instead had it towed to a garage down the road. the garage installed a new lock cylinder. i was late for work and had to bum a ride to pick my car up after work. the garage charged me for 2 and 1/2 hours of work, the towing and the part, the total being $308.62. all this on a car only 2 and 1/2 years old. after the repair was done i called the ford dealership and they refused to pay for the repair, even though the car was still under warranty, because i did not bring it to them. i wrote to ford headquarters and they again refused to pay for it. *nm

08/15/06 i purchased used 2004 ford focus. 10/24/06 car dies on me while driving. it dies and an "exclamation point" indicator comes on in the dash. this is a very abrupt halt whenever it dies. it almost feels as though someone hits you from behind. took car to dealer for repair. they said that they could not duplicate the problem, however they replaced the tr sensor for the automatic transmission. 11/06/06 picked car up and on the way home it died on me twice. took car back to the dealer. this time they say that they found wires that appear to have been chewed by an animal. they replaced these wires and the car has not died again since. **this is a very dangerous situation to have your car just die in the middle of the freeway while driving. *jb

2004 ford focus, now 2 years old with 54,000 miles. when leaving the store today my key would go into the ignition but would not turn and my wheel was in a locked position facing left. i had to have my vehicle towed to the dealership costing me $68 and an additional $98 for ford to look at it. i am sure it will be confirmed tomorrow that i will need my ignition cylinder replaced as have many focus owners. which will cost approximately $300. *nm

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 $365.00. *jb

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 my car doesn't start in the wrong place at the wrong time, especially with my kids, this is definitely a safety issue. this is happening to thousands of people and most of them say that they had to get this problem fixed more than once within a 3 year time period. *jb

Dt*: the contact stated the ignition switch failed to turn when the key was inserted into the ignition, thus failing to start the vehicle. this was the 4th failure. metal shavings were seen falling out of the ignition when the key was removed. the service dealer had the vehicle towed to the service repair shop for investigation. the manufacturer was not notified.

2004 ford focus. key does not turn in ignition. stranded in remote area. had to walk and hitch-hike home. found hudreds of similar complaints on internet. sudden, unexpected failure of such basic and fundametal safety/security equipment is inherantly dangerous. consumers should be warned that this is a common occurance and that it could be dangerous. *nm

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 there is no recall from the ford company, in fact they are actively denying that there is a problem. *nm

Dt*: the contact stated the key came out of the ignition while in the start position. the vehicle was parked and turned off when the incident occurred. the steering wheel locked up and could not be moved when the vehicle was restarted. the vehicle was towed to the dealer who determined the ignition cylinder and transceiver module needed to be replaced.

In october of 2004 the ignition cylinder locked on my 2004 ford focus and was unusable. it was towed to the dealership and they claimed to have "fixed it". today is june 18, 2006 and the ignition cylinder locked on me again. my daughter drives this car and she works the graveyard shift. if this car were to leave her stranded at night because ford failed to issue a recall --i seriously consider this a safety issue!!!!!!!!!!!!! *nm

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. focus owners report repairing the problem repeatedly and ford adamantly denies the defect. *jb

Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle the key would not turn unless the steering wheel is turned at the same time. the problem occurs intermittently and has not been taken to the dealer. the vehicle is a 2004 ford focus. *ak

Dt*: the contact stated for the past four months, while attempting to start the vehicle, the key will not turn unless the steering wheel and the key are turned at the same time. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the lock assembly, ignition switch, and steering lock mechanism were replaced. this corrected the problem. updated 05/30/2006. *ak

Ignition jammed unable to start car,key would not turn at all. had to have car towed to dealership and they replaced ignition had the car for two days, now that i have new ignition the key is now getting stuck in the ignition. have not reported problem to dealership yet. *nm

2004 focus belt tensioner broke and battery failed. *ts the front door had to be aligned and the door seal was replaced. the throttle cable had to be re-routed due to the cable binding. the front wheel bearings were replaced. the left rear motor assembly was replaced, the 3rd brake light lens and right side cv axle was replaced. the transmission started shifting erratically. the consumer attempted to make a turn, and the transmission would shift from 1st to 2nd gear until the engine revved up past 6000 rpm. the consumer was told there was a problem with the servo pistons. the transmission was eventually repaired. the battery failed 5 times. *jb

i couldn't start my car after putting gas in at a gas station. the key would not turn in the ignition. after trying for over 10 minutes, i called for help. my daughter went on line and found that ford focus have this problem and you need to tap the key to get it to turn. i tapped it and was able to start my car. this has been going on now for about 18 months and i decided to have it looked at today at the ford dealer. they said it is common in the ford focus but their was not a recall on it. they said i need to have it replaced for $375.00 w/o keys or $525.00 with new keys. i don't think i should have to pay for this defect, ford should replace it for free. *tr

My high beam is always on. my low beam and fog light do not work. the low beam and fog light are independent switch. *jb