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
Suspension, Electrical system, Air bags, Tires, Wheels, May 7, 2005, crash, fire
PASSENGER-FRONT TIRE RECEIVED AN IMPACT IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS HIT WAS A "SIDE-CRASH" WHERE ONLY THE TIRE AND A SMALL AREA OF THE OUTSIDE FRAMING ABOVE THE WHEEL WERE DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE TRUCK SPARKED AND IGNITED ON IMPACT. THE TRUCK WAS IN FULL FLAMES IN THE TIRE AND ENGINE AREA WITHIN 9-11 MINUTES. THE FIRE BURNED OUT THE CENTER PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD, THE ENTIRE ENGINE AREA, THE DASHBOARD/GLOVE COMPARTMENT, AND THE TIRE AREA WITHIN THAT TIME FRAME. I WAS MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN THE OTHER DRIVER COLIDED WITH MY TRUCK AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH; THE WEATHER WAS CLOUDY/RAINY BUT IT HAD NOT RAINED YET DURING MY MORNING TRAVEL. THE AIR
Electrical system, Apr 26, 2005
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE IGNITION FROZE. THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THESE VEHICLES. *AK
Electrical system, Apr 24, 2005
ON APRIL 11, 2005, AS I WAS LEAVING WORK IN THE EVENING, I PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND COULD NOT TURN THE KEY. THE FOLLOWING DAY, I SPENT SOME TIME ON THE TELEPHONE WITH SEVERAL MECHANICS AND KEY MAKERS TRYING TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. I FINALLY UNDERSTOOD THAT IT WAS A FAULTY IGNITION CYLINDER. ON APRIL 14 I HAD THE CAR TOWED INTO BOHN FORD INC. AT 401 N. CARROLLTON AVENUE, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70119. (504) 485-2646. WHILE THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP, I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND LEARNED FROM ONE WEBSITE THAT THERE WERE AT LEAST 137 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAD. I FOUND A SECOND WEBSITE WITH ANOTHER LIST OF PEOPLE WHO WERE SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCES OF THE FAULTY IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK. TWO PEOPLE WHO POSTED ONTO THE WEBSITE MENTIONED THE PO5. I UNDERSTOOD FROM THEM THAT THE CAR COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED FOR $24.58. THE CAR HAD TO BE UNDER SIX YEARS OLD AND UNDER 75,000 MILES. THE STAFF AT THE BOHN FORD DEALERSHIP WAS VERY CONSIDERATE AND UNDERSTANDING OF MY SITUATION; HOWEVER, WHEN I REQUESTED A PO5, THEY TOLD ME THAT WHILE THEY WERE SURE THAT I QUALIFIED , THEIR OFFICE WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO APPLY FOR A PO5 AT THIS TIME. MY TOTAL BILL CAME TO $396.69 TO DRILL OUT, CODE, AND REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK; AND TO CUT, ERASE, AND PROGRAM TWO PAT KEYS. THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK PROBLEM ON THE FORD FOCUS CAN BE TRACED AT LEAST AS FAR BACK AS 2001. THEREFORE I URGE YOU TO BEGIN A RECALL ON THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK. *JB
Electrical system, Apr 17, 2005
2003 FORD FOCUS LX SEDAN - MY WIFE WENT TO WALMART ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK, AND UPON RETURNING TO THE CAR THE KEY WOULD NO LONGER UNLOCK THE IGNITION SWITCH. DESPITE MANY ATTEMPTS (A LOCKSMITH WAS UNABLE TO COME UP WITH ANYTHING) WE ENDED UP HAVING THE CAR TOWED. THE QUOTED REPAIR PRICE IS ROUGHLY $400. THERE ARE SEEMINGLY ENDLESS ACCOUNTS OF THIS VERY SITUATION WITH THE FORD FOCUS IGNITION ON FORUMS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR FORD SHOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON THIS DEVICE.*AK
Electrical system, Mar 7, 2005
WE ARE A FRANCHISEE OF AN AUTO RENTAL COMPANY. WE HAVE HAD A HALF DOZEN FORD FOCUSES THAT THE IGNITION SWITCHES HAVE FAILED ON. THESE VEHICLES HAVE MILEAGE IN THE RANGE OF 40,000-45,000 MILES. THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL JUST QUIT WORKING. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLES TOWED IN EVERY INSTANCE, AND FORD HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT OR MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS. IT COSTS US OVER $400 EVERY TIME. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. THESE HAVE BEEN 2003-2004 MODEL VEHICLES. *AK
Electrical system, Structure, Mar 2, 2005
HATCH RELEASE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. . CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IF IT WAS NOT REPLACED, SINCE CONNECTED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE COULD CATCH ON FIRE.*AK...ALSO, REPLACED TRUNK RELEASE SWITCH. *AK
Electrical system, Feb 26, 2005
WE BOUGHT A NEW FORD FOCUS IN DECEMBER OF 2002. IN MARCH 2004, WITH ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON IT, THE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED TO ACT UP. WHEN INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION THE KEY GOT STUCK AND WOULD NOT TURN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. AFTER SPENDING ABOUT 20 TO 40 MINUTES OF WIGGLING THE KEY AND KNOCKING ON THE STEERING COLUMN IT WOULD FINALLY TURN. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN APRIL AFTER BEING STUCK AT NIGHT FOR ALMOST 2 HOURS ON A DESERTED PARKING LOT. THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE MECHANIC HIMSELF WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE KEY. YESTERDAY, ON 25 FEB 2005, THE SAME PROBLEM STARTED UP AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED IT OUT BUT WE ARE OFF WARRANTY, SO WE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT OURSELVES. IT IS A VERY FRUSTRATING THOUGHT THAT AFTER SPENDING ALL THAT MONEY, IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN IN SEVERAL MONTH. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER FOCUS OWNERS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE, WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD DOES NOT MAKE ANY ALLOWANCES TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED PERMANENTLY. WE HAVE OWNED OUR CARS USUALLY UP TO 10 YEARS OR SO AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE AN IGNITION CYLINDER BEFORE ON ANY OF THEM. *JB
Electrical system, Feb 23, 2005, fire
WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SUDDENLY, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Electrical system, Feb 18, 2005
ONCE THE KEY IS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE, AND IS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Electrical system, Feb 14, 2005
IGNITION SWITCH/STEERING COLUMN HOUSING UNIT. *AK
Electrical system, Feb 7, 2005
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE THE IGNITION LOCKED AND KEY WILL NOT TURN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK
Electrical system, Equipment, Feb 1, 2005
I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT START STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON TOWED TO DEALER COST WAS 50 DOLLARS W/ EXTENDED WARRANT ALSO HAPPENED TO MY SISTERS 2003 FORD FOCUS .THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED . *AK
Electrical system, Jan 21, 2005
NOTHING LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE, IT JUST HAPPENED QUITE ABRUPTLY. I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULDN'T TURN FORWARD. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED IN PLACE. *NM
Electrical system, Jan 6, 2005
BOUGHT A 2003 FORD FOCUS IIN JULY 04 AND ON 1/4/05 (28,406 MILES) WENT TO START VEHICLE AND KEY WENT INTO IGNITION HARD AND WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. IGNITION HAD LOCKED UP. NOTHING WOULD WORK AND WHEELS WERE LOCKED. HAD TO BE TOWED AND TECHNICIAN HAD TROUBLE DUE TO WHEELS LOCKING. FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET OF THIS PROBLEM IN THE FOCUS. CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WAS FIXED BUT IF SAME FAULTY IGNITION CYLINDER IS INSTALLED THE PROBLEM WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN.*AK
Electrical system, Jan 6, 2005
BOUGHT A 2003 USED FORD FOCUS IN JULY 04 AND ON TUESDAY, JAN. 4 WENT TO START VEHICLE AND KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO IGNITION. NOTHING WORKED WHEELS WERE LOCKED. HAD TO BE TOWED AND TECH HAD TROUBLE DUE TO WHEELS LOCKED. FOUND MANY MORE COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET ABOUT THIS TROUBLE IN FOCUSES. *AK
Electrical system, Jan 1, 2005
IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN AFTER THE KEY WAS INSERTED THE KEY WAS HARD TO GET INTO THE CYLINDER BEFORE IT SEIZED. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND ON THE AUTOMOTIVE TALK NET I WAS ABLE TO PRINT OUT 35 PAGES OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS WITH 3 TO 4 COMPLAINTS ON EACH PAGE. A FEW OF THE COMPLAINTS SAID THAT TOW TRUCK DRIVERS HAD TOLD THEM THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL CALLS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, AS DID THE LOCK SMITH I CALLED TO FIX MINE. THE COST WAS $200.00*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Structure, Dec 17, 2004
THE CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE REAR DRUM BRAKE PADS WERE DEFECTIVE, PARTS AND COMPOUND WERE MISSING, TRIM UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN WAS MISSING, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING IN FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD GEAR, AND THE IGNITION WAS DAMAGED. *SC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Equipment, Back over prevention, Dec 13, 2004
THREE TRANSMISSION FAILURES AND REPLACEMENTS. THE ENGINE, STARTER/IGNITION AND 1 GEAR SHIFT ALL REPLACEMENTS AND OTHER VARIOUS PROBLEMS. *BF FOUR CD PLAYER REPLACEMENTS, THE BRAKES FAILED, AND 1 ALARM FAILURE. *SC THE ENGINE WAS ALSO REPLACED. *JB
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 8, 2004
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2003 FORD FOCUS FROM MENLOVE DODGE TOYOTA IN BOUNTIFUL IN LATE SEPTEMBER. VERYTHING WAS GOING FINE, UNTIL ONE DAY MY WIFE COMES HOME AN HOUR LATE FROM WORK SAYING THAT THE KEYS FOR OUR CAR WOULD TURN IN THE IGNITION, SHE HAD TO ENLIST THE HELP 2 OTHER CO-WORKERS & FINALLY GOT IT STARTED AFTER AN HOUR OF TRYING IT. O I WENT OUT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE IGNITION AND SURE ENOUGH THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN UNTIL AFTER A BOUT 20-30 TRIES. SO THEN I GOT TO THINKING, WITH THIS CAR HAVING LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT I SHOULD HAVE IT LOOKED AT. AFTER TALKING TO OTHER PEOPLE & DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, WHICH FORD APPARENTLY FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AS WHAT IF YOU WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY & YOUR CAR STOPS RUNNING, YOUR GOING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS BECAUSE THE KEY WONT TURN TO THE ON POSITION AGAIN. I CALLED TO GET A QUOTE ON GETTING THIS FIXED AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ME IN THE BALL PARK OF 200-300 DOLLARS FOR A DEFECT THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A KNOW PROBLEM BY FORD. HAVE FOUND A MESSAGE BOARD THAT OTHER FOR FOCUS OWNERS HAVE POSTED INFORMATION ON WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. MY FELLING IS, WITH SO MANY FORD FOCUS OWNERS OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM & ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE IGNITIONS. HERE IS THE URL TO THE SITE I REFERRED TO: HTTP://WWW.AUTOWHIZ.COM/MESSAGEBOARDS/MESSAGE.PHP?ID=1784&PAGE=1*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Nov 30, 2004
THE TEMPERATURE HAD BECOME COLDER AND THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT DEPRESS WITHOUT FORCE. THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR WHENEVER THE VEHICLE SAT OVERNIGHT OR FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE CONSUMER WOULD DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR UNTIL IT WOULD MOVE DOWNWARDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. IT WOULD TAKE 4-5 DEPRESSIONS UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR WOULD MOVE DOWNWARD. OTHER PROBLEMS WERE THE BRAKES SQUEALING AND THE VEHICLE SUFFERED FROM NOT STARTING AT TIMES, EITHER THE PANEL LIGHTS WOULD ENGAGE OR THE STARTER WOULD GRIND. *AK *SC
Electrical system, Nov 17, 2004
IGNITION SWITCH ON AN 03 FORD FOCUS ZX3 LOCKS UP. IT WAS FINE ONE DAY AND THE NEXT IT WASN'T. THE CAR WILL START BUT IT TAKES TIME AND FIDDLING WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION BEFORE IT CLICKS AND UNLOCKS AND STARTS. *AK
Electrical system, Nov 12, 2004
2003 FORD FOCUS -- IGNITION LOCKS AND CANNOT BE RELEASED TO START THE CAR. DEALER (SMITH FORD IN LORDSBURG, NM) HAS TO TOW IN TO WORK ON AND LAST TIME EVEN REPLACED THE IGNITION. I AM TOLD THAT THIS SMALL DEALER HAS HAD 3 DIFFERENT FOCUS' WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
Electrical system, Nov 6, 2004
MY IGNITION LOCKED. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED. *JB
Electrical system, Nov 5, 2004
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP. KEY WILL NOT TURN, LEAVING ME WITH TOWING COSTS TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP.*AK
Electrical system, Oct 23, 2004
I STARTED MY CAR NORMALLY AND DROVE TO THE STORE. WHEN I CAME OUT FROM THE STORE I GOT IN MY CAR, INSERTED MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND MY STERRING WHEEL STAYED IN A LOCKED POSITION. I TOGGLED MY KEY IN THE IGNITION TO NO AVAIL MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I ENDED UP HAVE TO CALL A TOW TRUCK , WHO WAS THE DRIVER SAW THE MODEL CAR IMMEDIATELY TAPPED ON THE IGNITION CYLINDER WITH A BALL PEEN HAMMER AND WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. WHAT HE SAID IS THIS IS COMMON IN FORD FOCUS.*AK