NHTSA Complaint #10141330 — 2001 FORD FOCUS

THE IGNITION IS LOCKED UP IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE FOR POSSIBLE REMEDIES, I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCHES ON MY MODEL CAR DATING BACK FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THE STANDARD RATE FOR THESE REPAIRS SEEMS TO BE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $350 WHICH TO SOMEONE DRIVING A LOW COST VEHICLE LIKE THE FOCUS IS A LOT OF MONEY. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS ADMITTED PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL AND INSTEAD IS CREATING A BOON INDUSTRY FOR THE DEALERS HAVING TO REPLACE THESE PARTS? HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE TO GET SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS? I HAVE OWNED FORD CARS MY ENTIRE LIFE AND I CANNOT SEE A REASON TO CONTINUE TO BUY THEM IF THIS IS THE TYPE OF PRODUCT AND SUPPORT THEY ARE GOING TO START TO PRODUCE. *NM