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
Electrical system, Oct 18, 2007
WHILE IN DANGEROUS SITUATION MY FORD FOCUS AGAIN HAD A KEY FAIL IN THE IGNITION. I HAD TAKEN IT TO FORD, WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND ASKED FOR IT TO BE REPLACED AND THEY SAID, "OH, IT'S OK, JUST JIGGLE IT." THAT DOES NOT WORK. EVENTUALLY IT WILL COME FREE, USUALLY, BUT NOW IT SEEMS TO BE PERMANENTLY STUCK. NO, THERE IS NO TENSION ON THE STEERING WHEEL FROM A PARTLY TURNED FRONT WHEEL. IF THIS HAPPENED TO MY WIFE OR DAUGHTERS IN A DANGEROUS NEIGHBORHOOD, I WOULD JUST GO BERSERK. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 29, 2007
THE IGNITION ON MY FORD FOCUS 2003 HAS LOCKED UP FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 75,000 MILES, AND THIS IS GETTING TO BE A HUGE PROBLEM TO HAVE REPLACED. FORD ACTUALLY HAS THE BALLS TO CHARGE ME FOR THIS DEFECT IN THEIR CRAFTSMANSHIP, USING SUBSTANDARD PARTS IN THEIR IGNITION SWITCHES, AND MAKING ME PAY TO COVER UP THEIR FAULTY WORKMANSHIP WHEN GETTING IT REPAIRED. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 28, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN WHEN SHE INSERTED THE KEY. AS OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.
Electrical system, Sep 28, 2007
WITHOUT WARNING, AND WITH NO PRIOR OCCURRENCE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2003 FOCUS. A FRIEND RESCUED ME AND DROVE ME BACK TO WORK THE NEXT MORNING. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW - ALONG WITH A 7 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. FIRST, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REP TRIED TO PLAY "DUMB' WHEN I STATED THAT I'M HAVING THE "IGNITION PROBLEM" AND HE LATER TOLD ME THAT IT'S NOT COVERED BY MY WARRANTY. I HAVE PULLED OUT AND READ THE WARRANTY. IGNITION SWITCH IS COVERED BY MY BASECARE POLICY. (I WILL BRING IT IN HAND WHEN I HAVE THE CAR SERVICED IN 2 DAYS.) MEANWHILE, ANOTHER PERSON AT THE SERVICE DESK HINTED THAT I MAY BE ABLE TO TAP IT WITH A HAMMER SO THAT IT WILL TURN AND COULD DRIVE TO THE DEALER AND NOT HAVE TO BE TOWED. SURE ENOUGH, A TAP OF THE HAMMER ALLOWED ME TO TURN THE KEY. I WILL LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND AM STRUGGLING WITH THE THOUGHT THAT A REPLACEMENT FROM FORD WILL BE ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART. WHETHER MY WARRANTY COVERS IT OR NOT, I DON'T WANT ANOTHER BAD IGNITION SWITCH! FROM ALL THAT I HAVE READ, IT SEEMS THAT A LOCKSMITH WOULD REPLACE IT WITH A BETTER QUALITY DEVICE THAN FORD DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ARE USING. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 26, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT, THE IGNITION LOCKED UP AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM TURNING OR PUSHING THE STEERING WHEEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $400. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000.
Electrical system, Sep 21, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCKED, WHICH PREVENTED THE KEY FROM BEING TURNED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB THE DEALER STATED THE CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 20, 2007
2003 FORD FOCUS/ IGNITION WON'T TURN IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM BY ALL THE DIFFERENT WEBSITES AND BLOGS ABOUT IT. THIS DEFECT SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE A RECALL AND WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER TO FIND OUT THE FIX AND PRICE THEY LAUGHED AND SAID $600 TO $700 DOLLARS. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND I AM APPALLED. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 19, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL HAS TO BE UNLOCKED FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. ON SEPTEMBER 09, 2007, AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS, SHE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PLACE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND UNLOCK THE STEERING COLUMN. ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, THE CONTACT HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT HER JOB BECAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. SHE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR SEPTEMBER 22, 2007. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 24,000. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITON MODULE WAS REPALCED. UPDATED 12/12/07
Electrical system, Sep 17, 2007
AT APPROXIMATELY 5:00 P.M., MY IGNITION LOCKED UP ON ME, WITH MY CAR PARKED IN A PARKING LOT CLOSE TO MY HOME (THANK GOODNESS). I HAVE JUST LEARNED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR WIDESPREAD ISSUE, AND THAT I AM DEFINITELY NOT ALONE. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 13, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN HE TURNED THE IGNITION. SHE CALLED HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY ADVISED HER TO STRIKE THE IGNITION WITH SOMETHING, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START MOMENTS LATER. THE FAILURE BEGAN IN 2005 AND HAS OCCURRED SIX TIMES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED REPLACING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 12, 2007
(1) NOT SURE (2) STEERING WHEEL AND IGNITION ARE LOCKED AND CAN NOT BE MOVED ANYMORE (3) NEW LOCK *TR
Electrical system, Aug 31, 2007
IGNITION CYLINDER TOTAL FAILURE. KEY WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. SEARCH TERM "IGNITION CYLINDER""FORD FOCUS" ON THE NET AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED HOW BIG OF A PROBLEM THIS. WHY A SAFETY ISSUE. WELL, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I STOPPED THE CAR SOMEWHERE AND WAS STUCK IN THE DESERT IN THE 112 DEGREE HEAT, WHICH BY THE WAY IS THE TEMPERATURE THAT EXISTED WHEN IT HAPPENED IN MESA AZ. I WAS LUCKY THE CAR WAS HOME. *TR UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
Electrical system, Aug 28, 2007
OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THE IGNITION/LOCK MECHANISM HAS BEEN FAILING. THE WHEEL WILL NOT RELEASE AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN TO THE ON POSITION. SOMETIMES IF FORCED, THE KEY WILL TURN, BUT THE LOCK HAS BROKEN COMPLETELY NOW. *JB
Electrical system, Aug 28, 2007
MY CAR WAS RUNNING FINE THEN SUDDENLY THE IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN. TUMBLER BROKE $350 AT DEALERSHIP. COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, YET DEALER WON'T WARRANTY. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 10, 2007
THE WEEKEND OF JULY 28TH I HAD FAMILY IN TOWN. WE WERE DOING THE ATTRACTIONS. THE CAR STARTED EVERYTIME WE WERE GOING OR LEAVING ANYWHERE. WENT TO GO HOME AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. WE HAD THE BATTERY JUMPED AND IT WOULDN'T HOLD A CHARGE. PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY AND MADE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. CAR RAN FINE FOR 1 WEEK. WENT TO LEAVE WORK ON THE 6TH OF AUGUST AND IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL. THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. TOOK THE CAR TO HAVE THE NEW BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TESTED. NOTHING WRONG W/EITHER ONE. TOOK THE CAR TO FORD DEALERSHIP THEY SPENT 1 1/2 HOURS ON IT AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. SOMETHING IS PULLING ON MY BATTERY CAUSING IT TO DIE. TOOK IT BACK HOME AND NOW IT MAYBE THE COMPUTER. HAVE 110,000 MILES ON IT. I WOULDN'T THINK THIS WOULD START HAPPENING ALREADY. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 31, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY OTHER FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Electrical system, Jul 30, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. SHE HAS HAD TO STRIKE THE KEY WHILE IT WAS IN THE IGNITION FOR IT TO TURN AND START THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, THE KEY DOES NOT WORK AT ALL WHILE IN THE IGNITION. SHE HAS NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $800 FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER A RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Electrical system, Jul 26, 2007
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. *JB
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 23, 2007
IGNITION KEY SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN TO START KEY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE LOCK ASSEMBLY ON 2003 FORD FOCUS I BOUGHT BRAND NEW 12/31/2003. TOLD BY SCOTT REYNOLDS OF REYNOLD'S FORD THAT EVEN ONE OF HIS MECHANIC'S WIFE HAD SAME PROBLEM AS A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE.*JB
Electrical system, Jul 23, 2007
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT SHUTS DOWN THE CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 18, 2007
DURING THE PAST WEEK HAD BEEN HAVING TROUBLE TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO THE IGNITION WAS COMPLETELY STUCK. AFTER 4 HOURS OF TRYING TO GET IT TOO TURN I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND IT WAS BEING REPAIRED AS OF RIGHT NOW. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE LESS THAN 2 AND A HALF YEARS AND HAVE YET TO EVEN SURPASS 50,000 MILES ON IT. THIS WA S A PROBLEM THAT IS QUITE WIDESPREAD AMONG FORD FOCUS OWNERS I FELT THE NEED TO MAKE MY PROBLEM KNOWN ALSO. *AK
Electrical system, Jul 14, 2007
PARKED CAR WHEN ARRIVING TO WORK AT 8 AM. WAS LEAVING FOR LUNCH AT 12 PM AND IGNITION WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL. WHEEL LOCKED. HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK. FIRST TRUCK ARRIVED AND THEY COULDN'T TOW CAR SINCE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND ONLY A FLAT BED TRUCK. THEN HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL HOURS FOR A WHEEL LIFT TRUCK. WAS TOLD BY TOWING COMPANY THAT HE HAD (8) FORD FOCUS' (SAME MODEL), THAT WEEK WITH SAME PROBLEM. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT LOCKSMITHS DO NOT WANT TO TOUCH THE ISSUE, SINCE IT IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM AND THAT FORD WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE. TOWED TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE $300 TO REPLACE IGNITION. WARRANTY HAD JUST ENDED ON VEHICLE. FORD CORPORATE HONORED A SMALL PORTION OF REPLACEMENT COST, I ENDED UP PAYING $100 (THANKS TO THE DEALERS HELP), BUT THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE. OBVIOUS FROM THIS SITE THAT IT'S NOT JUST ME THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO. (AND THIS PROBLEM IS AMONG MANY OTHERS I HAVE DEALT WITH ON THIS STUPID CAR). *TR
Electrical system, Jul 12, 2007
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING THE TIRES, STEERING WHEEL AND IGNITION TO LOCK. THEREFORE, CAR BECAME INOPERABLE. A SUBSEQUENT TOW DAMAGED THE CAR BEFORE BEING TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP.*AK
Electrical system, Jul 6, 2007
(1)FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT THE CAR 1-1/2 YEARS AGO, THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD SOMETIMES FREEZE, DISABLING THE CAR FROM BEING STARTED. AT FIRST, I JUST HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL IN THE CAR AND THEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD WORK. (2)ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THE IGNITION SWITCH COMPLETELY FROZE. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME. I WAS TOLD BY ONE OF THE TOW TRUCK MEN WHO CAME TO TOW MY CAR THAT THIS IGNITION SWITCH WAS A FACTORY DEFECT IN ALMOST EVERY AMERICAN-MADE CAR. (3)I WROTE TO FORD IN DETROIT AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THEY DID NOT EVEN GRACE MY COMPLAINT WITH A RESPONSE. I THEN GOT AN ESTIMATE OF THE COST TO REPAIR FROM THE SERVICE DIRECTOR AT CAPISTRANO FORD. HE TOLD ME IT WOULD BE $260 TO $280. I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THIS MONTH AS I AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INCOME AND HAD ALREADY ALLOCATED MY MONEY GOING OUT FOR JUNE. ON JULY 3 I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, HE INFORMED ME THAT I WAS QUOTED WRONG ON THE COST OF REPAIR AND THAT IT WOULD BE $403 TO REPAIR. I COMPLAINED, REACHED THE DIRECTOR OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AGAIN AND TOLD HIM OF MY COMPLAINT REGARDING THE HIGHER PRICER. THE SERVICE DIRECTOR TOLD ME HE COULD KNOCK OFF $70 OF THE BILL BY TAKING THE COST OUT OF HIS TECHNICIAN'S HIDE. I DISPUTED THAT AS BEING UNFAIR, AND TOLD HIM THAT FORD (IN DETROIT) SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS, NOT HIS TECHNICIAN. HE TOLD ME HE WOULD TRY TO KNOCK OFF EVEN MORE OF THE COST. LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED TO TELL ME MY CAR WAS READY. WHEN ASKED HOW MUCH THE CHARGES WERE, HE TOLD ME "$50 BUCKS!" HE TOLD ME THEY HAD DECIDED TO CHARGE THE SERVICE TO FORD IN DETROIT AND DID THE WORK AS A COURTESY SERVICE WITH A $50 DEDUCTIBLE. AGAIN, THIS IGNITION SWITCH IS KNOWN BY TOW TRUCK PEOPLE TO BE A FACTORY DEFECTIVE PART IN JUST ABOUT EVERY AMERICAN-MADE CAR. MY CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 25,000 MILES ON IT. PLEASE RECALL THIS IGNITION SWITCH ON EVERY AMERICAN-MADE CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 2, 2007
IGNITION LOCK FAILURE ON FORD FOCUS ZX3, 2003. MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES. PURCHASED CAR USED AT 39,000 MI; NOW AT 47,000 MI. HAVE OWNED FOR LESS THAN ONE YEAR. *TR