ignition key/steering wheel jammed

I purchased my 2000 Ford Focus Wagon 6 weeks ago with no factory waranty since the car had 37,000 miles. I thought it was a great deal with the low mileage, but now I am faced with a $450 bill to get my car from the dealer (non-ford) where I made the purchase.

I told the dealer that I felt if was probably a Ford recall issue, since
a lock smith & his tow driver told me they had worked with several
other Focus owners of 2000-01. The dealer said he had made a couple calls to local Ford dealers and was told it was not a problem.

Does anybody have any suggestions on how to approach this dealer to
convince him to cover this expense? From what I have read on the internet searches today, Ford has not responded with a recall.

My email: [email protected]

Thanks

I purchased my 2000 Ford Focus Wagon 6 weeks ago with no factory waranty since the car had 37,000 miles. I thought it was a great deal with the low mileage, but now I am faced with a $450 bill to get my car from the dealer (non-ford) where I made the purchase.

I told the dealer that I felt if was probably a Ford recall issue, since
a lock smith & his tow driver told me they had worked with several
other Focus owners of 2000-01. The dealer said he had made a couple calls to local Ford dealers and was told it was not a problem.

Does anybody have any suggestions on how to approach this dealer to
convince him to cover this expense? From what I have read on the internet searches today, Ford has not responded with a recall.

My email: [email protected]

Thanks

There are hundreds, if not Thousands of post regarding your problem. I know because I have looked through some of the other sites regarding you problem and read some of the Horror Stories.

It is again My problem - happened once already and again today - 12/11/04. I understand that Ford Does Not consider this a big enough problem - the known fact that the cylinder is made from inferior material. (Bad Quality Control) I for one are very upset at the fact I could be stranded somewere, possibly someplace you don't want to be.

I no longer feel safe in my Focus, not just for myself but my passengers, that range from Family members and friends and most the time with personel belongings in the vehical.

I now feel that Ford Motor Company are nothing but trash, I would not buy another ford and the Focus I now have, I no longer want, further more, I wish I never bought it. Shame on you Ford - You Suck!!!!

In closing - I would say you are Screwed unlesss a Class Action Suite is filled or (Ford Screw You Company) comes clean and makes good on their F^#) up.

Good Luck.

I have a 2000 Focus ZX3, and last night the key wouldn't turn...this happened once before, too. I waited about an hour for a cab to drive me home....didn't want to deal with towing it at 9pm.

I find it really hard to believe that Ford hasn't added this problem to the recall list.

From reading other websites, it looks like I'll be shelling out close to $300 bucks today. Great. 2 weeks before Christmas. Thanks, Ford.

if it is an automatic there should be like a little acces hatcj near to the shifet about the size foa penny, pop it off stick a screwdriver in there an push the little button, this should unlock everything, idont remeber what causes this but it is simple to fix

if it is an automatic there should be like a little acces hatcj near to the shifet about the size foa penny, pop it off stick a screwdriver in there an push the little button, this should unlock everything, idont remeber what causes this but it is simple to fix

Yes it is an automatic but - I am also aware of the button, so the trick about unlocking Everything is no good in my case and I imagine many others.

The problem is that the cheap cylinder they use - I believe from Mexico - cracks and the tumblers get cought, then the key itself wont turn.

Further more, the replacement they use is the same thing that is already in it. expect it to happen again. Some people say they have replaced thiers 3 - 4 time in 2 - 3 years.

Thanks anyway for the suggestion.

Yes, I agree that FORDS suck! Personally, I'm a GM man, but my better half owns a 2001 Focus she bought new before I met her. This weekend the key stopped working in the ignition. Second time since she bought it. After searching the internet, and having the car towed home, I found a little trick that worked for me. Insert key into the ignition and give it a little tap, pushing the key further into the keyhole. I used the palm of my hand, but a light tap with the heel of a shoe may be required. This apparently activates the release mechanism that the worn out key can no longer reach because the key it just a bit too short.

From what I have read on the internet, to have a new key made cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $65. Now, since only a handful of locksmith shops have the equipment to program a FORD key, that means dealership in most areas of the US!!!

This is what I'm going to do..........

Take key to any regular place that has the ability to make a duplicate key and have a key made. Take this key and put it on the same keyring as the original key. The original has the microchip in it that activates the PATS system, so has to be in the car or the car won't start. The new key should work in the ignition and the old key will be in the car.
Saving many dollars and not having to pay the dealer more money than they deserve.

Yes, I agree that FORDS suck! Personally, I'm a GM man, but my better half owns a 2001 Focus she bought new before I met her. This weekend the key stopped working in the ignition. Second time since she bought it. After searching the internet, and having the car towed home, I found a little trick that worked for me. Insert key into the ignition and give it a little tap, pushing the key further into the keyhole. I used the palm of my hand, but a light tap with the heel of a shoe may be required. This apparently activates the release mechanism that the worn out key can no longer reach because the key it just a bit too short.

From what I have read on the internet, to have a new key made cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $65. Now, since only a handful of locksmith shops have the equipment to program a FORD key, that means dealership in most areas of the US!!!

This is what I'm going to do..........

Take key to any regular place that has the ability to make a duplicate key and have a key made. Take this key and put it on the same keyring as the original key. The original has the microchip in it that activates the PATS system, so has to be in the car or the car won't start. The new key should work in the ignition and the old key will be in the car.
Saving many dollars and not having to pay the dealer more money than they deserve.


PLEASE READ!!!

I have come up with a solution to the ignition problem without the dealer and without replacing the cylinder with the same defective cylinder. Here is the link:

http://kc8nqa.tripod.com/howtoreplacefocusignitionlock/

I'm not sure if this board supports Links, if not please Copy then Paste the link into your address bar.

I'm in the process of adding more detailed pictures when I can - My ignition problem and the remedy is taking up quite a bit of time.

Happy Holidays ALL !

the solution is real simple. the problem with the ignition jamming is that within every ignition is a piece of metal that if broken prevents ignition. it's an anti theft device. but the idiots at ford made the piece of metal too friggin thin. now there are two solutions to this problem. one (the more practical of the two) just be really friggin gentle when inserting the key. two (if you have the money for it) go to a pontiac dealer or a salvage yard and see about getting a sunfire ignition. dont ask me why but the two are compatible. and to the buttwipe who said use a screwdriver to hit the ignition coil. that is without a doubt the dumbest idea i have ever heard of. as i said before the metal piece in the ignition prevents theft. so whyyyy do you think they installed it. to prevent buttwipe thieves from jamming a screwdriver into your ignition and stealing your car. so your kinda of defeating the purpose of unjamming the ignition if your breaking the device that jams it.

Hello ALL and nightfly84,

Your solution is fine - I'm not sure what you mean by GENTLE - l have never had this problem with ANY ignition in my life - appreaciate your concern in this matter, but we ( me and ALL the others that own the PIECE - Focus, did not know we should just replace the ignition - people are not aware of the problem until it happens.) I and others never expected it to happen once, let alone again - after the dealer has replaced it, sometimes more then once, only to have it happen again. The subject here is - how to remedy the problem AFTER it has happened - and - yes - how to take care of it BEFORE it happens.

I, myself, would NOT recommend putting in something from a Junkyard? I assume that comes with at least one key - and I am certain you are aware of the transponder in it and in the receiver in the steering column? I chose to purchase a NEW part, with the New Keys!

Screwdriver to hit the ignition coil? HUH? What?

NO Need To Call Names - That does NO Good - Ya Think?

Anyway - Sounds like you might be having a bad time right now - hope you have a better up-comming year.

Looks like the MOD for this board is busy with the Holidays?

If the previous post is Deleted - Please Delete This One - Thank You.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to ALL.

heey BUTWIPE never sais screwdriver in the ignition. next to the shifter on floor should be a little whole, in there that should unluch shifter and wheel

well maybe i would be able to tell what your talking about if your grammar and typing we're better, I.E. it's said not sais. oh and by the way what your referring to is the fuel cutoff switch you illiterate mook.

Hello my fellow focus owners,
Everyone my husband and I know that has a 2001-2003 Focus...has ignition problems. As you all probably know, the ignition cylinder (the problem part) usually isn't covered on the warranty, but the ignition switch is. Kinda convenient that the cylinder isn't covered. I don't care what the dealers or Ford itself says, there is a problem whether they choose to recognize it or not!! My best advice to you...file a complaint at this link.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/

The more people complain, the quicker we will get a recall. After all, complaints are what fuel recalls.
One more thing...try your hardest NOT TO LOCK YOUR STEERING WHEEL. If your key will not turn the ignition AND your steering wheel is locked...GOOD LUCK! In order to get the ignition cylinder OUT, you must be able to turn the key to the "accessories" position. That's what my husband and I are going thru right now. I'll update our situation ASAP, maybe we'll figure out something to help you all!

Hello my fellow focus owners,
Everyone my husband and I know that has a 2001-2003 Focus...has ignition problems. As you all probably know, the ignition cylinder (the problem part) usually isn't covered on the warranty, but the ignition switch is. Kinda convenient that the cylinder isn't covered. I don't care what the dealers or Ford itself says, there is a problem whether they choose to recognize it or not!! My best advice to you...file a complaint at this link.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/

The more people complain, the quicker we will get a recall. After all, complaints are what fuel recalls.
One more thing...try your hardest NOT TO LOCK YOUR STEERING WHEEL. If your key will not turn the ignition AND your steering wheel is locked...GOOD LUCK! In order to get the ignition cylinder OUT, you must be able to turn the key to the "accessories" position. That's what my husband and I are going thru right now. I'll update our situation ASAP, maybe we'll figure out something to help you all!


Hello, nastasiabrooke and ALL,

I posted a few back with some info on how to replace the cylinder lock, just thought I repost the link again.

http://kc8nqa.tripod.com/howtoreplacefocusignitionlock/

Hope ALL had a Merry Christmas, also Happy and Safe New Year To ALL.

After reading many posts on this subject, other sites as well. One gentelman suggested hitting the key with the heel of your hand attempting to knock it in further. This worked. Got to the locksmith any he used wd40 and it got all better. This is a problem as stated. But you cannot force the key. It will break the fragile thing. It seems to start out with the key haveing difficulty being inserted in the switch. After reading about some of the repair bills , I feel fortunate.

I had the same problem at 30000 and now again at 70000. I bought the car new and have been towed 2 times just because of that. The problem is serious and ford is making money out of the sacrifice of the costumer. It's a rip off. File a complaint that is the way justice will work. http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/

Well I ended up replacing the switch. 60000 miles. I figured it better than to get caugtht at an inoportune time. Cost was $90.00. Had a locksmith do it. He was able to key the tumbler to my keys, so I still use the old keys. I will probably write to Ford Mo Co. and see what they have to say. Which from the sound of most posting will be nothing.

Maybe I am in the minority, but I have never had a problem with the ignition lock in my car. It's an 01 with nearly 40k.

Of course, as I type this, it's probably plotting against me... ;)

Well I ended up replacing the switch. 60000 miles. I figured it better than to get caugtht at an inoportune time. Cost was $90.00. Had a locksmith do it. He was able to key the tumbler to my keys, so I still use the old keys. I will probably write to Ford Mo Co. and see what they have to say. Which from the sound of most posting will be nothing.

I am amazed after reading this forum. Today was the first time that my Focus (2001) with 72,000 miles locked up on me. After I panicked, I looked on the internet and found that this is a problem that is very common. Thanks to this forum I was able to use the palm of my hand to bang the end of the key, and it finally unjammed, however it immediately locked up again after I turned off the car. I think we need to make sure that we put a spin on the complaints that this is a safety issue, for instance who would want to be stuck in a bad neighborhood in the evening with a car that won't start, etc. Ford will never recognise it as a recall problem until they see some sort of risk involved that ourweighs the $$$.

Wow I can't belive I found this thread. My 2000 ford focus did the same thing last spring. I was at the hair dressers and went to leave and bam I couldn't leave because it locked up and I could not insert the key. Since I have AAA I called them and explained the problem thinking they would tow me to the dealer but they said there is lock smith service with my AAA memebership so they sent the portable unit and the guy replaced the whole assembly thing for free telling me this was a common repair on the focus since the part is so shoddy and said they put in a much better one that will last. I thought I would have to have the dealer do it because of the special key but AAA said no and my origianl key worked fine after the repair.

Wow I can't belive I found this thread. My 2000 ford focus did the same thing last spring. I was at the hair dressers and went to leave and bam I couldn't leave because it locked up and I could not insert the key. Since I have AAA I called them and explained the problem thinking they would tow me to the dealer but they said there is lock smith service with my AAA memebership so they sent the portable unit and the guy replaced the whole assembly thing for free telling me this was a common repair on the focus since the part is so shoddy and said they put in a much better one that will last. I thought I would have to have the dealer do it because of the special key but AAA said no and my origianl key worked fine after the repair.

Hi thanks for your post. I'll join AAA now that I read from you. Last time the dealer replaced the key cylinder with one that had a different brand. I hope it will work normal now. However with my warranty expiring at 100,000 I'd definitelly have to add AAA.

My husband gives me AAA for Christmas every year and it's worth it in my opinion. I had no clue that they would service something like that when it happened so I was surprised. You should check and make sure though before you sign up because it might not be the case in other states, I am in NY.