NHTSA Complaint #10141568 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

MY DAUGHTER TOOK THE FORD FOCUS TO COLLEGE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. AFTER SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL REPRESENTATIVES AT AAA (TRYING TO GET IT TOWED FROM A PARKING GARAGE), THEY ALL SAID THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. THEY WERE SURE THAT THERE HAD TO BE A RECALL OR THAT FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THIS TO BE FIXED. I'VE CONTACTED FORD AND THIS WAS IN THEIR REPLY - 'FORD AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) WORK TOGETHER TO PROACTIVELY IDENTIFY AREAS OF CONCERN THROUGH INVESTIGATION OF CONSUMER AND DEALER FEEDBACK.' THIS IS WHY I'M FILING A COMPLAINT WITH YOU. AS FOR A SAFETY ISSUE, MY DAUGHTER'S SAFETY IS MY MAIN CONCERN. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED WHILE SHE WAS STILL PARKED IN THE GARAGE AT SCHOOL AND NOT IN A PARKING LOT AT A MALL OR A STORE. THE TUMBLERS COLLAPSED AND THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED REPLACED AND TWO NEW KEYS HAD TO BE MADE AND PROGRAMMED. (IF OEM IS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FROM MANUFACTURER, THEN IT IS YES.) *JB