NHTSA Complaint #10132960 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

THE IGNITION INTERLOCK FAILED ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION, SO THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEELS SO THAT WHEN IT WAS TOWED ($80) OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE IT ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR. THEY HAD TO DRAG IT UP ONTO THE FLAT BED OF THE TRUCK. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THAT HE ALONE TOWS ONE FOCUS PER WEEK DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I LIVE IN A LARGE TOWN AND CANNOT TELL ME THAT THERE ARE NOT HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM. I WAS QUOTED THE REPAIR COST OF $260 INSTANTLY WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER, HOW OFTEN DOES THAT HAPPEN. I CAN SEE WHY FORD DOES NOT RECALL THIS ITEM, IT IS TOO MUCH OF A MONEY MACHINE!! HOW MANY THOUSANDS OF REPAIR HAVE TO BE MADE BEFORE THEY RECALL THIS? *NM