NHTSA Complaint #10178979 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

THE CAR HAS 32000 MILES AFTER 6 YEARS. IN DECEMBER 2006 THE IGNITION FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. I COULD NOT INSERT THE KEY. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WOULD HAVE TO BE TOWED AND THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I WAS ABLE THE RESTART THE CAR, BUT IT FAILED AGAIN ON DECEMBER 11, 2006, STRANDING ME. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON ON THIS MODEL, TO THE EXTEND THAT FORD KEEPS THE REQUISITE PARTS IN STOCK. HE ATTRIBUTED IT TO A DESIGN FAULT. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THIS PROBLEM INDEED IS COMMON A DRIVER COULD BE STRANDED AND HELPLESS IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION, WITH SERIOUS RISK TO SAFETY AND POSSIBLY LIFE. IF THE MECHANIC'S OPINION THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FAULT IS CORRECT, FORD SHOULD RECALL THE CAR. *JB