NHTSA Complaint #10231931 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

I AM EXPERIENCING WHAT THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THE 2000 FORD FOCUS. FOR THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE INTERMITTENTLY HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCK UP, UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY AND START THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED MANY TIMES. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS IS A OVERWHELMINGLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2000 FOCUS AND SUGGESTED TAPPING AND BANGING ON THE IGNITION SWITCH TO GET IT TO TURN. THIS WORKED FOR ABOUT A YEAR, HOWEVER, AS I AM FINDING OUT BY READING THESE COMPLAINTS, IT FINALLY HAS FROZEN AND WILL NOT TURN. FORD WANTS TO CHARGE PEOPLE FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE SWITCH, ONLY TO REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE SWITCH,WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY NEED REPLACING , YET ANOTHER $450.. MY HUSBAND PURCHASED AN IGNITION SWITCH FROM AN AUTO PARTS STORE, ONLY TO HAVE TO TAKE IT TO FORD ANYWAY TO INSTALL BECAUSE THEY GET YOU BY CHARGING $150. TO "REPROGRAM THE PATS SYSTEM ON THE KEY. AT WHAT POINT AND HOW MANY VEHICLES HAVE TO BE REPORTED TO BE DEFECTIVE , HOW MANY OWNERS HAVE TO BE CHARGED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS AND FORD ALLOWED TO KEEP CHARGING AND RECHARGING US TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM RATHER THAN BEING ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE PROBLEM AND RECALLING THE PART?? WHY AREN'T CONSUMER'S PROTECTED AGAINST THIS? *TR