2003 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 1,017 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 53 involved a crash and 19 involved a fire. 52 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EquipmentFeb 24, 2012
RIDE CONTROL, LLC (RIDE CONTROL) IS RECALLING CERTAIN READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES, P/N 746641MT AND 746646MT, WITH CORRESPONDING AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER PART NUMBERS: GABRIEL G56944 AND GABRIEL G56945, AND PRIVATELY BRANDED PARTSMASTER WITH PART NUMBERS G68944 AND G68945. THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET SERVICE EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2000 THROUGH 2005 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A NUT WITHOUT THE NECESSARY WASHER. THE ABSENCE OF THE WASHER CAN ALLOW THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLY TO PULL APART THE TOP MOUNT.
IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES DURING INSTALLATION, IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE INSTALLER. IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN SECONDARY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL SET UP PROCEDURES TO INSPECT, REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-800-999-3903.
Campaign 12E007000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 11, 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Campaign 08E050000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineJun 13, 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
Campaign 06E056000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchFeb 1, 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.
IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 05V030000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
535 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 15, 2008
I AM WRITING BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR MY CAR DUE TO MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. MY WIFE WAS SHOPPING AND WHEN SHE WENT TO START THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. WE ENDED UP HAVING TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO OUR HOME. WE WENT ONLINE AND RESEARCHED AND SAW THAT MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR AND YEAR THAT WE HAVE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. OUR CAR IS A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND ITS AN IGNITION LOCK PROBLEM. THE AVERAGE REPAIR IS BETWEEN $300 - $500. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS MY WIFE WAS STRANDED WITH OUR 7 WEEK OLD AND 4 YEAR OLD IN VERY COLD WEATHER WITH NO WAY TO START THE CAR FOR ANY HEAT. ITS DANGEROUS AND THE COMPLAINTS ARE MANY. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GOOGLE IT AND YOU CAN SEE. I CONTACTED FORD TO SEE IF THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE AND THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO GET BACK TO ME BY TOMORROW AT 2 TO LET ME KNOW. I BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD AS AGAIN THEY KNOW THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE YET TO EVER ISSUE A RECALL FOR IT. THANK YOU. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK OR ALLOW HER TO START THE VEHICLE. A PROFESSIONAL STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER DOES NOT UNLOCK, WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,600.
Electrical system, Jan 8, 2008
THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL AND IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTW. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE CYLINDER. THIS HAS LEFT ME STRANDED WITHOUT A CAR. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 4, 2008
MY MOTHER PURCHASED A NEW 2003 FORD FOCUS FROM LOFINK'S FORD IN CARTHAGE, NY LATE IN 2003 SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE FIRST THREE YEARS SHE HAD THE CAR, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH/STEERING COLUMN. SHE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE. SHE REPEATEDLY TRIED THE KEY/STEERING WHEEL AND WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. WHEN SHE REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD, SHE WAS TOLD THAT SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENED, THAT SHE SHOULD JUST JIGGLE THE KEY/ETC. SHE RELOCATED TO BELTON, TX IN JUN 07 TO BE NEAR ME, HER DAUGHTER. ON 30 SEP 07 THE CAR HAD THE SAME ISSUE, EXCEPT THAT NO AMOUNT OF JIGGLING THE KEY/STEERING COLUMN WOULD ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO JOHNSON BROTHERS FORD IN TEMPLE, TX. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSTICS READ AS FOLLOWS: IGNITION SYSTEM DIAG FOUND IGNITION SWITCH BINDING REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH, RETEST SYTEM OK. THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN HAD TO DRILL OUT IGN LOCK CYLINDER TO REMOVE. THIS COST: $474.67 WHICH WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE THE CAR HAD 16,505 MILES ON IT AT THAT TIME AND WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I PURSUED THIS ISSUE WITH THE REPAIRING DEALERSHIP, THE SELLING DEALERSHIP, AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY (IN WRITING) TO NO AVAIL, REQUESTING A GOOD FAITH REIMBURSMENT. TODAY THE SWITCH FAILED AGAIN AND THE CAR IS NOW BEING TOWED FOR REPAIR.*CN
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 2, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY HAS A TENDENCY TO STICK INSIDE THE IGNITION WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS PREVENTS THE IGNITION FROM TURNING. AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT SHE TAKE A HAMMER AND GENTLY TAP THE KEY WHEN INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION IN AN ATTEMPT TO LODGE IT OUT. THE CONTACT HEEDED THE ADVICE AND THE REMEDY WORKED TEMPORARILY. AFTER A FEW WEEKS, THE FAILURE WORSENED AND CURRENTLY OCCURS THREE TIMES PER WEEK. THE STEERING COLUMN STICKS WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A FLAT ROAD SURFACE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED UPRIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IS WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING COLUMN. FORD STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Electrical system, Jan 1, 2008
I PURCHASED MY 2003 FORD FOCUS IN 2005 AND EVER SINCE THE IGNITION SWITCH GETS STUCK BUT IT HAS GOT STUCK OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS . *CN
Electrical system, Dec 29, 2007
IGNITION SWITCH LOCK BARREL FAILURE. THIS IS AN ONGOING WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM ABOUT THE FORD FOCUS THAT FORD SEEMS HAPPY TO IGNORE. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 28, 2007
I AM HAVING PROBLEM WITH MY IGNITION. THE KEY DOES NOT TURN AT ALL. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES BUT ITS ALREADY CAUSING PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 26, 2007
OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE HAD RECURRING CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH REMOVING THE IGNITION KEY FROM THE IGNITION CYLINDER/TUMBLER ON OUR 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3. ON DECEMBER 23, 2007, I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY AFTER HOURS OF TRYING TO JIGGLE OR CAJOLE THE KEY AND/OR CYLINDER. I WAS FORCED TO CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK. AND I WAS WITHOUT A PRIMARY CAR OVER CHRISTMAS. THE FORD DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS "A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM." THE "RESOLUTION" WAS REPLACEMENT OF THE PART AND A SUBSTANTIAL SERVICE CHARGE. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 22, 2007
KEY FAILS TO TURN IN IGNITION IN 2003 FORD FOCUS. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 20, 2007
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE THE COMMON COMPLAINT THAT MY IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WHEEL BECAME LOCKED AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY. I HAVE FOUND COUNTLESS STORIES SIMILAR TO MINE ON THE INTERNET AND IT'S SO COMMON THAT THE FORD DEALER AND ALL THE LOCKSMITHS THAT I HAVE TALKED TO IN THE LAST TWO DAYS HAVE KNOWN EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THANK YOU. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 19, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP CONSTANTLY AND THE CONTACT CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE STEERING CANNOT BE UNLOCKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $375. THE PART IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE IS NO RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Electrical system, Dec 17, 2007
THE IGNITION LOCK HAS LOCKED ITSELF AND AS A RESULT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON. FROM WHAT I'VE GATHERED ON THE INTERNET IT WAS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I TALKED TO ONE OF THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOPS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS COST AROUND $500 TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 11, 2007
MY 2003 FORD FOCUS, LEFT ME SITTING ON A FRIDAY EVENING BECAUSE THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO TURN THE KEY. NOT ONLY WAS THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER LOCKED, BUT SO WAS THE GEAR SHIFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL. I COULDN'T MOVE THE VEHICLE AT ALL. IT WAS DARK AND I WAS LEFT SITTING WITH ONE OF MY TWO CHILDREN. I HAD TO CALL FOR A RIDE, GET THE CAR TOWED AND THEN PAY TO GET IT FIXED. ALL ALONG, FORD KNEW THAT THIS WAS, AS THEY STATED ON THEIR WEBSITE, "A DEFECT". OBVIOUSLY THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE FORD FOCUS. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM. IT'S A ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE FACED AND PROBABLY BE CONSIDERED FOR RECALL, IN MY OPINION. I FEEL THAT PAYING FOR THIS "DEFECT" IS UNACCEPTABLE. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE THIS ON RECALL AND TAKE CARE OF REPLACING THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FOR IT'S CUSTOMERS! *TR
Electrical system, Dec 1, 2007
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 27, 2007
IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I WAS STRANDED AWAY FORM HOME, HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND HAVE THE CARE TOWED TO THE DEALER. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2000-2003 FORD FOCUS CARS AND FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RE-CALL, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE ISSUE A TSB 05-21-17 IN REFERENCE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 22, 2007
I HAVE HAD A FEW PRIOR PROBLEMS GETTING MY KEY TO TURN IN MY IGNITION, WHICH I WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO FIX MYSELF. LAST NIGHT HOWEVER, I WAS UNABLE TO GET MY KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN A LESS THAN IDEAL NEIGHBORHOOD AFTER 30 MINUTES OF TRYING TO START MY CAR. THIS IGNITION LOCK PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED THE EVE BEFORE THANKSGIVING WHICH LEAVES ME WITHOUT A CAR ON A HOLIDAY WEEKEND. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 15, 2007
ON MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR FUSES REPEATED BLOW AND ALSO THE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP ALL THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS COME ON AND SOME TIMES THEY JUST FLICKER OFF AND ON FOR NO REASON. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WIRING IN MY VAN AND I HAVE HEARD THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS TO BE LOOKED INTO. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 13, 2007
WHEN I PUT MY KEY INTO MY CAR IT WILL NOT TURN. WHILE THIS MAY NOT BE AN "OBVIOUS" SAFETY RISK, IT CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS PROBLEMS IF YOU ARE STRANDED SOMEWHERE. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH FOCUS, YET HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. I ENDED UP STRANDED FOR OVER AN HOUR AS I WAITED FOR SOMEONE TO PICK ME UP, FINALLY I BANGED THE KEY OUT OF FRUSTRATION AND I WAS ABLE TO TURN IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY MATTER TO ME, AS I AM A SINGLE WOMAN. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THEIR DEFECTIVE IGNITION CYLINDERS. I WILL NOW HAVE TO SPEND AT LEAST $400 TO FIX THIS, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE WON'T HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE, AS IT WILL BE REPLACED WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE MECHANISM. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 9, 2007
I AM CURRENTLY LEASING A FORD FOCUS ZX5, I'VE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS FOR JUST OVER 6 MONTHS. AFTER STOPPING AT THE GROCERY STORE WITH MY 17 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER, MY KEY DOESN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION!! NOT ONLY IS THIS FRUSTRATING IT IS DANGEROUS. MY DAUGHTER WAS CRYING FROM THE COLD THAT NIGHT AND I HAD TO WALK HOME WITH HER IN MY ARMS!! SO IN CONCLUSION I FEEL THAT THE FACT THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER CAN GO AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING IS A DEFINITE AND UNNECESSARY RISK TO SAFETY. MY DAUGHTER IS NOW SICK BECAUSE OF THIS! *TR
Electrical system, Oct 31, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. IT TOOK THE CONTACT APPROXIMATELY 20 ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION CYLINDER IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59,000. UPDATED 03/14/08. *LJ
Electrical system, Oct 31, 2007
2003 FORD FOCUS. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 29, 2007
AFTER FUELING, MY DAUGHTER TRIED TO START THE CAR (2003 FORD FOCUS WAGON), BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. WE GOT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED IT, AND THE KEY CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED BY A LOCKSMITH. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR, PLUS THE TOWING, COST OVER $200.00. MEANWHILE MY DAUGHTER'S CAR WAS STUCK AT THE GAS PUMP, WHERE OTHER CUSTOMERS WANTED TO FUEL, BUT COULD NOT DO SO. I'M GLAD MY DAUGHTER HAD NOT RUN OVER A NAIL, LIKE I DID THE OTHER DAY, HAVING TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF A BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, AND THEN HAVE THIS PROBLEM OCCUR. DEPENDING ON WHERE THIS KIND OF THING HAPPENS, THIS COULD BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. NOT ONLY WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT WITH THE PLACE THE VEHICLE IS STRANDED WHEN IT OCCURS. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT FORD HAS KNOWN FOR QUITE SOME TIME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY REFUSE TO RECALL CARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, AND CONTINUE TO USE THIS DEFECTIVE PART IN THEIR FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I BOUGHT WAS THE MOST EXPENSIVE ONE, AND YET IT COVERS EVERYTHING BUT THE IGNITION SWITCH, IT SEEMS. UNLESS FORD DECIDES TO REIMBURSE ME, I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT. THIS IS THE FOURTH FORD FOCUS WE HAVE PURCHASED. IF I DON'T FIND SATISFACTION WITH THIS PROBLEM, IT WILL CERTAINLY BE THE LAST. ON TOP OF ALL OF THAT, MY FOCUS HAS HAD SQUEALING BRAKES SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT, AND FORD HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THIS, AS WELL, SAYING THAT IT'S "NORMAL." NO WAY THIS NOISE IS NORMAL. I'M FED UP WITH FORD AT THE MOMENT. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 23, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN WHEN IT WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION. HE HAD TO SHAKE THE STEERING WHEEL AND MOVE IT FOR 15 - 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $512. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,500.
Electrical system, Oct 19, 2007
IN JULY 2007 THE IGNITION KEY LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT BE TURNED TO START THE ENGINE. I MANAGED TO GET IT TO TURN (NO, IT WAS BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HOLDING) AND DROVE IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE KEY CYLINDER FOR NEARLY $400. DESPITE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND A 100,000-MILE WARRANTY, THIS SERVICE WAS NOT COVERED. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE KEYS WERE WORN OUT AND THAT I NEEDED TO MAKE A NEW KEY TO PREVENT FUTURE FAILURE. I DID SO AND ONLY USE THE NEW KEY TO START THE CAR. NOW, ONLY 3 MONTHS LATER, THE IGNITION PERIODICALLY STICKS AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO START LOCKING UP AGAIN. IF I PUSH THE KEY IN FIRMLY, IT WILL TURN NORMALLY. THIS IS A POOR QUALITY MECHANISM AND FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS BEFORE IT HAPPENS TO SOMEONE ON A 40-BELOW WINTER NIGHT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.