hi chas i have the same problem. i went to dealer who told me it was acommon mondeo problem.they advised liberal quantities of wd40 which may help release it but more likely it will be a replacement.the cost of htis is 120 quid in which they have to break and then replace the front grill as wll as the catch.amazing really that they admit they have a design fault and yet expect us to stump up oodles of cash to have it fixed.sorry i can,t help you any more but if the wd40 trick works i'll let you know
keith skinner
March 2007