Ford Focus lock-out

While it’s not uncommon for Albertans to have car troubles in the middle of January, an Edburg woman is having a slightly unusual issue with her 2008 Ford Focus.

Debbie Choboter says the locks on the back doors of her four door Focus have become stuck and they can’t be opened with the key, the remote, or manually while inside the vehicle.

The only way for passengers riding in the back of her car to enter or exit the vehicle is by climbing forward over the front seats.

It’s not the first time Choboter has had trouble with the locks on her Focus. She says she has previously had trouble with all of the doors on the vehicle. Ford has fixed the problem twice while the car was under warranty. The car is no longer under warranty, and she says Ford has told her they will charge $300.00 per door to fix the problem.

A spokesperson for Ford claims that the problem is likely caused by dust build up in the locks from driving on gravel roads, despite the fact that gravel roads in the region are under a thick cover of snow.

Ford also recommends regular servicing of locks and latches.

"Ford of Canada recommends the lubrication of locks and latches every 24,000 kilometres, or more if in dusty conditions (info can be found in the Owner’s Manual under Special Conditions)." Communications Manager Kerri Stoakley wrote in an email to Global Edmonton Trouble Shooter Julie Matthews.

A quick Google search reveals that the problem with the locks on the Focus may be a fairly common issue. Some drivers have gone as far as to say that the only way they can get into our out of their vehicle is through the trunk. Choboter says she’s had to put her grandchild’s car seat in the vehicle through the trunk, and she feels the issue is a safety concern.

At this point she’s been left with little option but to pay to fix the car, with no guarantee that the problem won’t happen again.

With files from Julie Matthews