NHTSA Complaint #10091147 — 2002 FORD FOCUS

I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD FOCUS FROM DON HINDS FORD IN FISHERS, IN ON 9/28/02. THE PROBLEM I AM REPORTING IS THAT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN OVER SO THAT THE ENGINE CAN BE STARTED. THE KEY ROUTINELY BALKS AND JAMS. IT FAILED TO TURN OVER 1 WEEK AFTER THE PURCHASE. THE FORD 800 ASSISTANCE # RECOMMENDED PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK & FORTH WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY TRYING TO TURN THE KEY OVER. THAT WORKED, THEY DID NOT OFFER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I GOT THE SELLING DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER TUMBLER AT 19,000 MI UNDER WARRANTY. BALKING/JAMMING CONTINUED, AT 38,000 THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. AFTER TOWING IT TO A PRIVATE AUTO REPAIR SHOP, THEY REPLACED THE TUMBLER AGAIN. 1 MONTH LATER IT NEARLY DIDN'T START AGAIN. FORD IN GREENSBURG, IN REPLACED THE TUMBLER AGAIN UNDER A "GOOD WILL" POLICY. 9/10/04 THE CAR STRANDED ME AGAIN DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER TOWING TO AN INDIANAPOLIS, IN FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED THE TUMBLER AGAIN. THAT'S THE FIFTH TUMBLER IN THAT CAR IN 43,000. I DON'T THINK THE 5TH ONE WILL FIX IT ANY MORE THAN THE FIRST 4 TUMBLERS DID. *JB