NHTSA Complaint #10050243 — 2001 FORD FOCUS

THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERATIVE. *AK SEVERAL PEOPLE TRIED TO UNJAM THE KEY BUT NO SUCCESS. A TOW COMPANY WAS CALLED AND THE TOW COMPANY STATED THAT MANY FORD FOCUSES WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TOW ADVISED TAPPING ON THE KEY WITH A HAMMER TO SEE IF THE TUMBLERS WOULD REALIGN. IT WORKED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN HOME AND AGAIN THE IGNITION JAMMED BUT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WITH THE HAMMER THE KEY TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART AND A SPECIAL LOCKSMITH WAS REQUIRED FOR THE REPAIR. *CB *JB