NHTSA Complaint #10450403 — 2002 FORD FOCUS

I HAD MY 81 YEAROLD MOTHER WITH ME, I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. IT WAS NOT UNTIL 5 DAYS LATER THAT MY MECHANIC SON IN LAW WAS ABLE TO LOOK AT IT AND TELL ME THE PROBLEM AND THAT A FORD GARAGE HAD TO FIXIT. THEIR PRICES VARY FROM 350.00 TO 450.00 TO REPLACE MY IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY. IT IS A 48.00 PART. FORD REFUSES TO RECALL BECAUSE THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS IF SOMEONE HAS A HEART ATTACK OR A STROKE BECAUSE OF THE STRESS OF BEING STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE OR BECAUSE IT IS OVER 100 DEGREES AND YOU CAN'T WALK TO A PHONE OR TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER. NOT EVERYONE HAS A CELL PHONE. IT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR UNTIL IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT HAS TO BE REPAIRED EVERY TIME BY FORD. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY FOR THE ELDERLY. *TR