NHTSA Complaint #10070924 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

THE FORD FOCUS WE PURCHASED HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NOW FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME PART TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION/KEY PROBLEM HAS BECOME AN ISSUE AS THE LAST HEAD MECHANIC STATED TO MY HUSBAND FORD WOULD NO LONGER REPLACE THE PART BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNDER THE INITIAL WARRANTY. WE DISAGREE BECAUSE IT IS A FORD DEFECTIVE PART THAT THEY PUT IN NEW AND HAS FAILED NOW FOUR TIMES. I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH THE REPAIR "ADVISOR" OF THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE HAD THE WORK DONE FOR THE PAST THREE REPAIRS. THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS HAVE OCCURRED: AUGUST 02 INSTALLED NEW LOCK CYLINDER AND REKEYED APRIL 03 INSTALLED NEW TUMBLER SEPTEMBER 03 REPLACE KEY SWITCH THE ABOVE DETAILS I HAVE TAKEN FROM THE INVOICE COPIES THAT I HAVE. HE EXPLAINED THE TOTAL COST INCLUDING TOWING AMOUNTS TO APPROXIMATELY $300.00. NOW LOOKING AT THESE REPAIRS, ALTHOUGH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE KEY/IGNITION OCCURS, IT SEEMS THEY ARE REPLACING DIFFERENT PARTS. HE IS CONFIDENT THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED AND SHOULD NOT REOCCUR....I HOPE HE IS RIGHT! THEY HAVE PAID THE TOTAL COSTS OF THESE REPAIRS AND HAVE ALSO PAID FOR TOWING OF THE VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THIS OCCURS AGAIN, HE STATED THEY WILL BE UNABLE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AS THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY COULD DO.