NHTSA Complaint #10168573 — 2003 FORD FOCUS

THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 FORD FOCUS WITH LESS THAN 45,000 MILES, THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CAR REFUSED TO START. ADDITIONALLY, THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF NEUTRAL, MAKING A TOW DIFFICULT. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM, FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RISK OF DRIVERS BEING STRANDED IN UNSAFE PLACES WHERE THEY COULD BE RAPED, ROBBED OR MURDERED. FORTUNATELY, THIS HAPPENED TO MY WIFE AND I IN OUR APARTMENT COMPLEX, HOWEVER THERE ARE REPORTS OF OTHER PEOPLE NOT BEING SO LUCKY. HIXSON FORD CHARGED US $289.69 TO REPAIR THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER PLUS WE PAID $65 TO TOW THE VEHICLE. BELOW IS A LIST OF WEBSITES DOCUMENTING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF THE FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCKING UP AND RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE. SOME EVEN COMPLAIN OF IT HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING: HTTP://CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_FOCUS_IGNITION.HTML HTTP://WWW.FAZMICLAW.COM/FOCUS.HTML HTTP://WWW.WJLA.COM/NEWS/STORIES/0706/347339.HTML HTTP://CBS5.COM/INVESTIGATES/LOCAL_STORY_041015136.HTML HTTP://WWW.PETITIONONLINE.COM/FOCUSIC/PETITION.HTML HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.EEA50DC HTTP://FORUMS.TREEMEDIA.COM/FB/ARCHIVE/INDEX.PHP/T-493.HTML HTTP://THS.GARDENWEB.COM/FORUMS/LOAD/CARS/MSG062031202524.HTML?20 HTTP://WWW.COMPLAINTS.COM/DIRECTORY/2004/DECEMBER/12/7.HTM HTTP://WWW.COMPLAINTS.COM/DIRECTORY/2005/JULY/5/17.HTM HTTP://FORUMS.FOCALJET.COM/PROBLEMS-SERVICE-RECALLS/416401-PLEASE-POST-IF-YOUR-IGNITION-HAS-LOCKED-13.HTML THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE. *JB