I have a 2002 Ford Focus ZX5 and my key keeps getting stuck in the ignition when I go to leave my car. Sometimes, only after several desperate minutes of struggling with it does it budge and several times I have been forced to return home early from an event in order to try to fix it there where I thought it would be safer if I needed to leave it. I have tried using a different key and made sure that the car is in park with the parking break on and the lights are off. I have straightened the steering wheel and done everything I can think of. Please help!

I had a 2001 focus. I had the same problem. Each time I was able to keep working the key back and forth and eventually it would come out. After time though the key got stuck and nothing I did made it realse so I had to replace the ignition switch. Less than 3 months later the same problem occurred again. Dealership told me it was a problem with the switch but because they had not installed the new one I would have to pay for a new one. So more than likely this is what you will have to do to yours.

It's the tumblers in the lignition switch is going bad, one mechanic I know sprayed stuff kind of like WD-40 into the hole that the key goes, then he stuck the key in the hole and wiggled it around a little, and it loosened everything up now the key hasn't gotton stuck once. Id blame the switch on your situation, you can either try this idea or purchase and install a new ignition switch