NHTSA Complaint #10096520 — 2002 FORD FOCUS

I PICKED MY CAR UP FROM CLEVELAND HOPKINS AIRPORT ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2004. I DROVE TO MY SISTER IN-LAW'S HOUSE TO PICK UP MY HUSBAND AND 2YR OLD DAUGHTER. WE STAYED FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS AND THEN LEFT. WHEN I TRIED TO START MY 2002 FORD FOCUS I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE KEY. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP AND WOULD ONLY MOVE A FEW INCHES IN EITHER DIRECTION. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR I JUST DROVE MY HUSBAND'S MOTHER'S CAR HOME. THE NEXT DAY I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO LIBERTY FORD IN MAPLE HTS. I WAS TOLD SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS BEFOREHAND. I WAS TOLD THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND I ONLY NEEDED TO "JIGGLE" THE KEY AND THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK IT. I WAS TOLD I HAD A BAD KEY AND NEEDED A NEW ONE. WELL NONE OF THAT WAS TRUE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID I HAD TO HAVE MY ENTIRE IGNITION REPLACED AND IT COST $342. I HAVE NOT PICKED UP THE CAR YET, BUT WILL TRY TO GET THE OLD PART.*AK