NHTSA Complaint #10605301 — 2009 FORD FOCUS

2009 FORD FOCUS 4 DOOR, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. THE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME AND YOU WILL GET LOCKED IN AND HAVE TO CRAWL OVER THE SEATS TO GET OUT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE KEY HOLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT IT DOES NOT UNLOCK THE OTHER DOORS SO YOU CANNOT GET IN SINCE THE DOOR ONLY OPENS FROM THE INSIDE IF IT IS UNLOCKED. YOU CANNOT MANUALLY UNLOCK THE FRONT DOORS BUT YOU CAN CRAWL OVER THE SEATS AND PULL UP THE REAR DOOR LOCKS OR CLIMB OUT THE WINDOWS. FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS AND I SEE SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND YOU CANNOT GET THE DOORS OPEN. I GUESS IT WILL TAKE A DEATH BEFORE FORD WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. MY SON HAS TO KEEP THE DOORS UNLOCKED SO HE CAN GET INTO A PASSENGER DOOR AND OPEN THE INSIDE LATCH TO GET INTO HIS CAR. I GOT LOCKED IN AND HAD TO CRAWL OVER THE FRONT SEATS TO GET OUT SINCE I THOUGHT HE WAS JOKING. WE HAVE THE DOOR PANEL OFF AND DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY OUT SO NOW I AM ON THE HUNT FOR REPAIR PARTS. THE HANDLE SEEMS TO BE IN WORKING ORDER BUT THE LATCH IS NOT. WE LUBED IT BUT IT KEEPS LOCKING UP AND YOU CANNOT OPEN IT UP TO SEE WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. I THINK FORD WANTS PEOPLE TO SPEND A FORTUNE TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR JUST BUY A NEW CAR THAT YOU CAN'T AFFORD. *TR