NHTSA Complaint #10096232 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILED IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3, LEADING TO INABILITY TO START THE CAR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN BUT UNACKNOWLEDGED ISSUE WITH THE FOCUS LINE. *AK EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: NORMAL USE OF THE IGNITION TO START AND STOP THE CAR. FAILURE: THE TUMBLERS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH BROKE OR JAMMED SUCH THAT I WAS UNABLE TO INSERT MY IGNITION KEY MORE THAN 50% INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, THEREBY MAKING ME UNABLE TO START THE CAR OR EVEN UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOUSE IN ORDER TO GET IT OUT OF A SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT. REMEDIATION OF FAILURE: I AM EITHER GOING TO REMOVE THE TUMBLERS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AS DETAILED IN HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/T158426.HTML OR I WILL HAVE TO PAY THE ~$300 COST TO GET A NEW ONE FROM A DEALER WHO WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A PROBLEM.