NHTSA Complaint #10170837 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

I PURCHASED A 2000 FORD FOCUS SE NEW IN 2000. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN MINIMALLY SATISFIED WITH ITS PERFORMANCE DESPITE A STRING OF RECALLS. THIS WEEK, I WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE IGNITION LOCK SEIZED. I TRIED TO TURN IT MULTIPLE TIMES, BUMPING THE STEERING WHEEL TO RELEASE THE LOCK, AND EVENTUALLY THE KEY BROKE OFF IN THE IGNITION. I HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO A DEALER, WHO COULD NOT GET THE LOCK CYLINDER REMOVED WITHOUT DRILLING IT OUT. THE DEALER INSTALLED AN AFTERMARKET IGNITION AS PER FORD'S SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. THE TOTAL REPAIR, INCLUDING TOW, COST ME $500. I AM VERY UPSET THAT THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ME DESPITE NHTSA AND FORD'S KNOWLEDGE OF ITS PREVALENCE (BULLETINS AND COMPLAINTS). I ASK FORD TO INITIATE A RECALL AND REIMBURSE ME FOR MY REPAIR EXPENSE. IN THE LEAST, I ASK NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND FORCE A MANDATORY RECALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. TUDOR HAMPTON CHICAGO, IL. * NM