NHTSA Complaint #10023176 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

ON JUNE 1, 2003, MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION CYLINDER WHICH WAS DONE ON JUNE 2, 2003 AT STONEHAM MOTOR CO. I PREVIOUSLY HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND SAME REPAIR ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS -- FEBRUARY 11, 2003 AND APRIL 21, 2003. THIS WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED IN A COMPLAINT TO YOUR AGENCY (CONFIRMATION NO. 10018431). THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN SO THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS SUCCESSFULLY. ALTHOUGH A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER WAS INSTALLED, I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROBLEM MAY CONTINUE TO OCCUR REPEATEDLY BECAUSE OF A DESIGN DEFECT WHICH DOES NOT REQUIRE THE KEY TO BE INSERTED FULLY. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME THAT ONE CONSUMER WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM LEAVES HIS KEY IN THE IGNITION, THINKING THAT IF THE CAR GETS STOLEN THAT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT ANOTHER CONSUMER HAS A HAMMER IN HIS CAR WHICH HE USES TO TAP THE KEY BEFORE TURNING IT. I HAVE NO COMPLAINT WITH THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED ALL THREE REPAIRS AT NO CHARGE, BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM, BOTH TO ME AND MY DEALER. *NLM