NHTSA Complaint #10140524 — 2003 FORD FOCUS

I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3, IT HAS JUST A LITTLE OVER 48,000 MILES. ONE MORNING (OUT OF BLUE), THE KEY LOCK WOULD NOT TURN OVER. LUCKILY, I WAS HOME. AS A RESULT, I HAD IT TOWED INTO A FORD DEALERSHIP. WAS CHARGED AN ARM AND A LEG BY THE TOWING COMPANY (FORD DEALER RECOMMENDED) AND TO MAKE THINGS WORSE, FOUND OUT THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DID COVER A (KEY/IGNITION CYLINDER) REPLACEMENT COMPARTMENT, WOULD OF BEEN COVERED IF IT WERE THE SWITCH/ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE SWITCH. IN THE END, I HAD TO PAY OVER $500 FOR A PART THAT APPARENTLY IS GEARED OR EXPECTED TO FAIL ON NEWER FOCUSES (ACCORDING TO TOW CO., FORD MAINTENANCE STAFF, AND THE RANDOM INTERNET SEARCHES). I CALLED FORD DIRECTLY, AND AT THIS POINT THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECALL BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT HASN'T DETERMINED IT TO BE A SAFETY PROBLEM (THEY ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM ALSO). I GUESS IF I WERE STUCK UP IN THE SNOW PACKED SANDIA MOUNTAINS AND MY TOES FROZE OFF, HEY MAYBE THEY WOULD CONSIDER IT A PROBLEM. PLEASE, CAN YOU CHECK INTO THIS, I HATE TO SEE OTHER UNSUSPECTING BUYERS, DRIVERS, GET HIT WITH THIS UNNECESSARY BURDEN AND OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSE. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE, WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *NM