NHTSA Complaint #10114250 — 2001 FORD FOCUS

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS, BOUGHT NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND WITHIN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER THREE TIMES. IN EACH OF THESE INSTANCES I HAVE HAD TO MISS CLASS BECAUSE MY KEY WILL NOT TURN AND START MY CAR. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED, BUT THEN I REALIZED THAT THE KEY DOES NOT TURN AT ALL. ON EACH OCCASION I HAVE HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. FORTUNATELY, THE SECOND AND THIRD TIMES IT WAS TAKEN CARE OF UNDER THE WARRANTY, BUT THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE. THE SERVICE EMPLOYEE SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS AND IT SEEMS THAT THE KEY IS NOT LONG ENOUGH FOR THE IGNITION CYLINDER. HE SAID THAT IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, HE WOULD HAVE GIVE ME NEW KEYS THAT FIT THE CYLINDER, AND THUS REPLACE ALL LOCKS (INCLUDING THE TRUNK). AT FIRST HE OFFERED TO DO THE REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE, BUT SINCE THE MILEAGE IS OVER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY (STILL WITHIN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY), I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY LINE.*AK