NHTSA Complaint #10462578 — 2004 FORD FOCUS

THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR TWO MONTHS. IT TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES OF JIGGLING TO FINALLY GET THE IGNITION LOCK TO RELEASE. I DRIVE THIS CAR ON BUSINESS, INCLUDING IN REMOTE AREAS. IT IS SCARY TO TRY TO START THE CAR AND HAVE THE KEY NOT TURN. SO FAR, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO EVENTUALLY WORK, BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS. WE'VE JUST STARTED EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE ON MY WIFE'S 2007 FORD FOCUS. IN RESEARCHING THIS, IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON THE FOCUS SINCE THE BEGINNING AND APPARENTLY FORD HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE OR CHANGE THE IGNITION LOCK MECHANISMS ON LATER FOCUS MODELS. POTENTIALLY GETTING STRANDED AT NIGHT OR IN A REMOTE AREA DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION LOCK IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. ONE SHOULD NEVER HAVE A PROBLEM IN TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, I AM A CAREER SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT WORKING IN THE COMMERCIAL INSURANCE INDUSTRY WITH 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE. *TT