Please post if your ignition has locked!

[TheBlueHornet]

Never happened on my two SVTs, but my first Focus, an 01 LX sedan constantly locked all through the warranty and a while after. I WAS PISSED!!! Everytime they said it was fixed for good too. The last time it really was fixed I suppose (before I traded it in for the SVT).
Oh yah, my ex gfs ZX3 ignition locked up too.

[w00w00]

happened twice to me. once under warranty at 31k and then again at 80k. 280 to dealership, 50 to tow. both dealerships assured me the problem was solved. load of bs.

[SuperFlea]

Wow, we should defenitely form a club of some sort, it could be called "Teh ICC" (The Ignition Cylinder Crew) hahaha!

[focuspl99]

Originally Posted by SuperFlea

Wow, we should defenitely form a club of some sort, it could be called "Teh ICC" (The Ignition Cylinder Crew) hahaha!

lol i'd be a member of that twice over!!!

hehe

[SuperFlea]

[XboxHacka]

you know if you get the part # for the ignition from Ford. You can go to O'riellys and they can get if for $50. Then take it to a lock smith and they can get it fitted to your car for like $15. Thats what I did. and it worked.

[xD1V1NEx]

Hi people. I'm not sure if this particular problem has been posted yet, but, here goes. My mom has a 2001 Focus, and the key is stuck in the ignition. The key still turns the car off and on, but we just can't get it out. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[SuperFlea]

i think it might be similar to the rest of us... you'll need to tap on the key a bit, maybe it'll release it that way.

[nann]

i have a 2002 ford focus se sedan and yesterday i parked the car went outside to get in it and the darn things steering wheel is locked and the key wont turn is this the ingintion switch or something else. Can someone reply asap.....

[SuperFlea]

it's the ingnition cylinder, you'll have to get it replaced!

good luck.

[tjandreau]

my 2000 zx3 had this happen last year. Using the spare key seemed to buy me some time once I managed to get the stuck key out. The spare key seemed to cause less resistance.

[jsly621]

Just happened to me. My wife got stuck after work. The car is still in the parking lot. Does anyone know of any tricks to get it to work, or can someone technically identify the problem?

[dpd01]

My ignition also locked up on me. I had to get it towed and the mechanics couldn't get a key in to remove the ignition. It had to be drilled out and cost over $300. Now my gas mileage has dropped from about 33mpg to 25mpg. Can't find anything wrong other than the air temperature sensor is off 10-15 degrees. It will cost another $300 to replace and they don't even know if it will fix the problem.

[b16sir1991]

Out of all the people on this site that are "in the know", i cant believe that no one offers what i do. This is a problem on just about all focus' up till 2006. Heres two pics showing the new and the old. The old is the one that has the thinner metal around the outside edge and should be replaced BEFORE it starts going bad. I carry these and will even build the new cylinder for you with a spare "blank" key and ship it to you for $65. Yes, its a real Ford cylinder and is the new one.:

[darkdrake]

id be in for that... but how do you get the key i have to work... what do i need to do
?

so i get the ignition from you install it and then??? does the key i have work...what?

thanks im just a noob

[crashball]

I have had this problem on and off since we got our 2002 ZTW 18 months ago. It seemed to happen all in a 2 month span, happened about 8 times. The key would turn ok, but you couldn't take it out and the steering column wouldn't lock. After jiggling the key and the wheel we could usually get it out. A couple times we just left the key in and took our key fob with us. Hasn't happened for at least 6 months now...guess i should count my blessings.

[06ztwyukon]

hello! I have an '06 ztw and the danged key won't turn!!!!! I have been reading up on the problem on the net, stumbled across this site, and now know it is chronic. my question - i can't find any accounts of this happening to anything newer than an '03. is this still a problem in 2006 models? it is a canadian model - with 10000 km on it (roughly 6500 miles)

N8

[SmurfZX3]

Add another one to the list! This happened to me last year...same story as the rest - key wouldn't turn, got towed, got charged over $300!

[Penam]

I’ve had this happen 2 times once in 2001 and this year dealer wanted $280 to fix it went to an auto wrecker and got a whole steering column for $60 with a key

[kabello]

The ignition on my 2005 Focus locked just last night. I hope my warranty will cover it.

[b16sir1991]

How it works is send me your name, address, vin#, and telephone number on a PM then call me at 800-849-0233 and ask for Mike in parts. Ill build you the new Ford cylinder with a spare door key and ship it to you for $65 or $75 with a Pats key if you want a spare. Your vin number will give me the key code so i can build the new one to match your exisiting key/keys.

[Prof100]

How do you replace the cylinder if you can't get it ? What if the key goes in but does not turn? The manual says to turn it to the accessory position. How do you get the cylinder out if it won't turn to the accessory position?

Originally Posted by b16sir1991

How it works is send me your name, address, vin#, and telephone number on a PM then call me at 800-849-0233 and ask for Mike in parts. Ill build you the new Ford cylinder with a spare door key and ship it to you for $65 or $75 with a Pats key if you want a spare. Your vin number will give me the key code so i can build the new one to match your exisiting key/keys.

[focus-blue]

My ignition cylinder has been locked up for some time now. I have to hit the end of the key pretty hard just to get the thing to turn over. I know that focussalvage has the replacement for 65 bucks, but is it easy to install? Any info would be great and if anyone has done this themselves please let me know!

[ubersput]

Mine locked last Christmas. Had to pay over $300 at a dealer.

[SuperFlea]

wow, that sucks!!! ^^