Ford focus zx3 2006

There is a small sleeve just below the shift knob on the ford focus - it can slide down and trigger a sensor in the gear box that tells the car it is not in park even when it is. Push the sensor back up toward the knob (with the car in park) and the key should release.

Yesterday out of the blue I shut off my 2006 Ford Focus and the key would not come out of the ignition, everything else functioned fine. After reading this site I went out and removed the center console to look around. I found this silver metal mushroom shaped switch that controls the ignition /key assembly, it is located on the passengers side of the shift lever I pushed in and pulled it out and the key came out with no problem.

After all this I found a fix that does not require removing the center console. On the center console just to the right of the shift lever is a little removable plastic disk a bit smaller then a dime. Just pop this out with a small screwdriver and press the white plastic button down about 3/4 of an inch. (This actually moves that silver mushroom switch.) The key will now come out, if it doesn't you need to press the white button in further. Now I always keep a small screwdriver in the car just in case.

I had the same problem with my 06 Focus.
My solution (worked every time) put the car into first gear before putting into park. Voila!

YOU MAY HAVE A BAD KEY IGNITION SENSOR. IF YOU OPEN UP YOUR STEERING WHEEL COLUMN YOU WILL SEE A SENSOR ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. iT LOOKS LIKE A MUSHROOM AND SHOULD HAVE A WIRING HARNESS ATTACHED TO IT. IF YOU DETACHED THE HARNESS THE KEY SHOULD COME OUT SMOOTHLY; THUS YOUR PROBLEM IF KEY DOESNT COME OUT GOD ONLY KNOWS.

I have a 2005 Ford Focus. Key is stuck in the ignition for 4 months now. Called service and they want $85 look at it and $250 to fix. They say it is a common problem with the Focus but have not had a recall to fix them. This is expensive when it could be a factory defect. Can you help me remove this ignition key? Vehicle is an easy prey to thieves when the key is in ignition, whether or not the car is locked.

Similar Problem: My 2002 Focus Wagon would not release the key when put in Park 50% of the time.  I could still turn the car on, drive it, etc.  But when I turned it off and put in park it wouldn't let go of my key.  Under the shifter there is a gearshift interlock solenoid switch which makes it so you can't take out keys unless in park.  It also makes it so you cannot shift into gear without the brake pedal pressed.  At any rate I took off the center console (instructions online), and it looked like someone had spilled coffee (or something) and it had run down to the solenoid switch.  There is a little white button/nub which sticks out under the shifter and prevents the shifter button (automatic) from being pressed (and sending down a white rod) and the shifter shifted unless you have the foot on the brake.  My problem is that this white button wasn't returning to its regular position after I put it into park.  It was gunked up.  So the car though it was still in gear.   I used a lot of rubbing alcohol and Q-Tips to clean it up (not easy to reach).  It seemed to do the trick.  Or you could just replace the solenoid.

I got a key stuck in my 2006 Focus and tried all the above. With no success. I did however put it in park and moved the the car back and forth by shifting my weight, just to make it bounce a little. Then heard a small click and out it came....

I have found, with my '03 focus, that if I leave it sit for a minute or two one I have turned off the car, it will eventually let go. I have also played with the release on the gear shifter (automatic) and tapped the brake and it will release. Apparently it has to do with a relay that ties the three things together. Weird, I know, but it works for me.

My daughter has a 2001 Ford Focus and we learned when the key gets stuck you have to make sure the clutch is park all the way and it needs to "click" in order for the key to come out. I hope this helps

My key is stuck in the ingition how do i get it out

My car is in park and it still won't release the key

I have a 2007 ford focus, had the same problem, (key stuck in the ignition) try to open the cover for the shifter, clean it up and put everything back and there you go, its fixed. the shifter wasnt even engaging in park, it would come out without the key all the way turned on. this should fix the problem, the mechanic fixed mine like 20 minutes ago. try it please, good luck

Is the car in park? if not make sure it is