Please post if your ignition has locked!

[uujjj]

mine just locked up on christmas eve when i was visiting folks up in chicago. $225 to have it drilled out by a locksmith (after waiting in the cold for 3 hours).

[XdrewsiferX]

Mine and my wifes have boath locked on us 2 times so a total of 4 times

[SVT529]

Ford techs that fix this problem said they repeatedly hit the end of the key with a rubber mallet while attempting to turn the key until it turns.

I have the Ford service instructions and diagrams if anyone wants me to email (or can upload to thread).

[SuperFlea]

Sweet, thanks!

[FORDSVTPARTS]

If anyone needs a new lock cylinder coded follow this link (so I don't have to retype it).

http://forums.focaljet.com/team-tech...look-here.html

[hnewman]

2004 Focus. I just had this ignition switch get stuck on me last week. Aren't I lucky. I was lucky it only happened a few blocks from my house. My son was driving it. I found this web site and followed the bang/tap on the key advise, to push the key in further. Worked great, I was able to start the car and drive it to the shop to get fixed. I called the dealer and they said they know it is a common problem but it will still cost me $250 to get fix. I'm just off waranty 2 months. I called a locksmith $85, (a know brainer) as long as I can drive it over to their shop. It now works like a charm. And the locksmith said it should last much longer than the original Ford one. Hopefully I'll never have the problem again.

[Fyreman213]

Mine Locked today... no reason...just tried to start and no go
had it towed to a dealer to fix. The tow truck driver said it is a very common problem. CAA also said the same thing. Dealer said the same thing. You would think Ford would fix it. I have 132,000 km on the car. It is a 2000.

[bsohn]

I am wondering if this might not have a bit to do with the Keying they use on some of the keys to make them different. I am thinking if you have an aggressive key pattern it could be bending the pins causing everything to lock up (granted it shouldn't happen). It sounds like it reoccurs to the same people over and over again. Our family has had four focus' (2 - 2000 KONA's, a 2002 Mach, and then My SVT) and haven't had any of these issues.. I just got called by a friend who just bought a 2000 zx3 off of a friend who had this happen and it happened to him just now.. I don't know just my 2 cents but It may be better to get a whole new cylinder with a new key pattern as well.

Brion Sohn

[Zerogravity]

Good...im not alone. The thing about recalls i think it has to do with safety reasons like tires, fuel pump etc. I guess Ford thinks its not that bad of an issue. Add me to the list of the ignition-Gremlin attack! Hey Brion!!! ^^

[beckaholic1111]

my key wont turn sometimes in my 2000 sedan. i just beat the key with the heel of my hand a couple of times... then it will turn.

[Ashleyyo]

This happend to me.. i was at the store and it had trouble before i didnt think much of it.. untill i couldnt start it at all.. i had to buy a new "ignition core" i believe they called it.. it was like 93 dollars from ford.. they wanted 35 to put it together.. my husband sat there for hours doing him self.

[MisterAlex]

Dang, this is the lamest junk ever. I was at the middle school where I work, and was about to head to class (college), only to find my key wouldn't turn... I had to wait an hour and a half for my buddy to come get me... and of course I missed that class. At least I wasn't late for work in the afternoon; I'd be even more ticked, which is saying something, because I'm sorta PO'd about the trouble and the serious stress.

If the company refuses to do anything about this known issue (aside from milking it for tons of cash), how do we get a class-action suit going? A LOT of folks will fit in that class, let me tell ya.

Edit: I found this just now: http://www.fazmiclaw.com/focus.html

[Carsbrokedad]

Can not believe this 250.00 to have an ignition replaced in daughters car. keep telling her not to buy foreign Now I will tell her to buy foreign. Never thought I would say this in my 49 years. Oh yeah forget the F-150 my next truck will be another chevy

[Carsbrokedad]

Originally Posted by LemonGT

I did a search and found 30 people who have posted that they have had this problem! I am thinking of taking Ford to small claims any suggestions?
Here is the list of names:
1. m3th0d
2. Hi-Risk
3. focuz04
4. 03' ZX3’s sister
5. SoCalFocus
6. so smooth
7. schnack
8. monkeyman28
9. bumpmaster’s sister
10. atomics20
11. northcal_zx3
12. k0nafocus
13. Hocus Focus 2001
14. Brian Walsh
15. Fordowner
16. biker16
17. cloud9focus
18. chilsilbull
19. focusSvT01
20. Krmnnghia
21. PsiSapper
22. claypoolio
23. 1BadEgg
24. Goobah
25. UNSPACY
26. Crankenstein
27. Hi-Risk
28. Jared
29. Peggy_Bundy
30. LemonGT

[Carsbrokedad]

wait till yours lock up then you try your suggestion and see if it works , remember to send a post and let us know how it worked out in 10 seconds

[mygirlsfocus]

Mine locked up about 2 years ago, had the dealer replaced it (230.00) then it recently locked up again last November, which I replaced last tiem for 90.00.

Still working.. knock on wood.

[Croc_Tease!]

I have 2 2003 ZX3's and both of them had the locked ignition cylinder problem.

[sickoffocus]

Not once, not twice, but four times in the past 2 years. It's still not working correctly.

[BLUE_02_ZX3]

LISTEN TO ME, save yourself the money and take the cylinder out, and rip the guts out of it. thats what I did. It wont start without the PATS key anyway.

[Red_ZX3_Baron]

Well Mine locked up Again, It was good for two years since it happend last (used WD-40 to fix it the first time). I used WD-40 this time, it worked but now I have to wiggle the key to get the Ignition to turn. Add me to the list. I'v have a 88 Stang and its never had a Ignition lock problem with this or any other car I ever had. Ford must have used cheap parts for the lock in order to sell the Focus at a low price. I'v had other Fords In the Family and nothing like this happend before. I hope some one at Ford is reading this whole thread because if this is not addressed Ford is going and already have lost customers to Mopar, GM, and the Imports. Its no wonder Toyota is numer two now and Ford is in the Red.

Rick KC2ESD

[Jason_C_SBB]

Add me to the list.

[Red_ZX3_Baron]

LISTEN TO ME, save yourself the money and take the cylinder out, and rip the guts out of it. thats what I did. It wont start without the PATS key anyway.

Done!!!

See this thread for details>>>http://forums.focaljet.com/problems-...-solution.html

[foundwaldo1017]

my mom has 2003 Sedan and just had this issue. They had to drill out the ignition. I was talking to my cousin who is a tow truck driver and he says this is the number one problem he tows a ford focus for. Why hasn't ford recalled this especially since they say they have a better one out on the market.

[Liqdfire]

kk im putting in my post, had this issue last year.

[MadDawg-Zx3]

WoW you all are getting good deals. We charge 425 parts and labor with 2 new keys



MadDawg