27th Oct 2003, 10:31
I have also had this happen to me, screwdriver pushed through the lock. Am contacting many media companies (watchdog etc) at the moment and urge anyone with the problem to do the same. I have had my car broken into this way twice in 3 months since buying the car brand new. Can't afford to keep claiming for the stereo. Ford denies there is a problem. I know of 7 other mondeos this has happened to.
5th Jan 2004, 13:31
No car is totally secure, and once the weakness is discovered, the thieving scum spread the word around. With the Mondeo it happens to be a screwdriver through the door lock. Other cars require different methods, but all equally effective. If you think a car thief walks past a Honda Accord for example and thinks "I won't bother stealing that wallet on the passenger seat, because I don't know how to get into this car", you're sadly mistaken. They'll get in, even if it means chucking a brick through the window. And let's face it, banging a screwdriver through the door is no less conspicuous or violent an action.
It doesn't matter what car you drive, if a thief is prepared to inflict damage to get into your car, you may as well have left the thing unlocked. Car security is an oxymoron.
17th Sep 2004, 14:00
I would suggest fitting after market Thatcham approved alarm systems and get the standard factory alarm disabled. Moreover, there are also other new security devices available to capture the persistent thief in action, which will be enough to prosecute.
20th Sep 2004, 04:15
Ford Mondeo's Alarm system. So I'm not the only one. My car is currently waiting for another £450 door repair after a meeting with a screwdriver. Double locking non-existing along with a silent alarm. Surely Ford could be prosecuted under the trades description act. My car is covered with stickers telling the world what fantastic systems are fitted. Pity they don't work.
13th Oct 2004, 14:05
As an 1987 Escort driver, I have found the best remedy is to de-lock the car and use security film on the windows, MAKE IT OBVIOUS THAT YOU HAVE THE FILM ADVERTISED! It's an expensive option, but they haven't got into my car yet. Unfortunately at £45 a time for the windows, it's an expensive option. The pratts around this area are getting the message that my car is virtually impenetrable! I chain the steering wheel to the seat, and have wheel clamps.
11th Mar 2005, 02:39
I had a VW Golf 2003 model where same thing happend to me. Srewdriver through lock. I actually never knew what happend before a friend ask med to try to lock the frond driver door. This was 3 months later. I always use the remote.
I don't think Ford are the only with this defect in their alarm.
Rune - Norway.
10th Mar 2008, 11:39
This mirrors my experience exactly with a 2004 Ghia Estate. Screwdriver through drivers door lock disables everything. The Police confirmed this was a known Mondeo weakness and thieves targeted them. Amazing in this day and age that a car can be so vulnerable. I remember my Father having his mark 2 Cortina stolen in 1970. Police said something very similar to him then. So much for progress!
26th Jul 2003, 06:15
I Have had my Mondeo broken into 5 times in 14 months by the same method (screwdriver through the side of the lock. It has just been done again an hour ago in broad daylight. 12.00 midday. On one occasion my laptop was stolen. I'm getting to the end of my wits now.
Dave Darwin.