NHTSA Complaint #10288639 — 2001 FORD FOCUS

ISSUE: KEYS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. VEHICLE: 2001 FORD FOCUS SE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY, CAR WILL START IF YOU JIGGLE THE KEYS HOWEVER KEYS REMAIN IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE TRIED MOVING THE TILT STEERING, ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEY IN EVERY GEAR, ENSURED THAT THE CAR WAS IN PARK BY PARKING ON A HILL WITH THE WHEELS STRAIGHT, NOTHING WILL ALLOW ME TO REMOVE THE KEY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU COULD BE STRANDED ANYWHERE IF JIGGLING THE KEY DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY WORK TO START THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY I AM FORCED TO LEAVE MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND USE THE SPARE TO REENTER THE VEHICLE WHICH LEAVES ME AT A HIGH RISK FOR VEHICULAR THEFT. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE TUMBLER IN MY IGNITION REPLACED WHICH WILL HOPEFULLY RESOLVE THE ISSUE. COSTS: $105 LABOR/HR PLUS $115 PLUS TAXES IN PARTS (PRICES IN CAD). NO AFTERMARKET PARTS AVAILABLE. *TR