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, Nov 30, 2012
IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN PREVENTING YOU FROM STARTING THE CAR. MY DAUGHTER GOT STRANDED AT WORK AT 11PM FOR 45 MINUTES UNTIL SOMEONE WAS ABLE TO HELP HER GET THE KEY TO TURN. I TOOK TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID A FORD DEALER WOULD NEED TO REPLACE AS THE 2000-2003 FOCUSES HAVE A LOT OF IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. THE DEALER WANTS $350 AND WILL ONLY WARRANTY THE PART FOR 1 YEAR!! *TR
Electrical system, Oct 9, 2012
THE IGNITION KEY FAILS TO TURN. KEYS ARE FINE AND HITTING THE KEY WORKED A FEW TIMES TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. WITH THIS PROBLEM, A PERSON CAN EASILY BECOME STRANDED IN UNFAVORABLE CONDITIONS. ALSO, SHOULD ANYTHING HAPPEN WHERE THE ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING COULD BECOME LOCKED WITH NO WAY TO TURN KEY. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 11, 2012
I WENT TO START THE CAR AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT MOVE. I WAS UNABLE TO GOT TO MY DOCTORS APPOINTMENT.. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 28, 2012
IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN IN LOCK. UNABLE TO START CAR. WIFE STRANDED. BROUGHT HER OTHER KEYS, SAME PROBLEM. FINALLY GOT LOCK TO TURN BY VILOENTLY WIGGLING AND POUNDING ON KEY. DROVE CAR HOME. INTERNET SEARCH SEEMS TO INDICATE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL VEHICLE PURCHASERS. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 24, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION BUT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Electrical system, Jul 16, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION BUT COULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND SHE VERIFIED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Electrical system, Jul 12, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS NOT ABLE TO OPERATE IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE KEY GOT STUCK. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Electrical system, Jun 20, 2012
WHEN I TRY TO START MY CAR, THE KEY WON'T TURN WHEN I PUT IT IN THE IGNITION. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES JUST TODAY. I CAN WIGGLE THE KEY BACK AND FORTH AND LUCKILY IT'S ENDED UP WORKING, BUT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I'VE READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *JS
Electrical system, Jun 11, 2012
THE IGNITION WOULDN'T TURN, ALTHOUGH THE KEY CAN GO IN AND OUT OF IT. HIRED A LOCKSMITH BEFORE I KNEW THE DEALERSHIP MIGHT FIX IT FOR FREE BECAUSE I NEEDED IT FIXED QUICKLY. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 8, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT BE TURNED IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 23, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE THE POWER STEERING WARNING CHIME SOUNDED. IN ADDITION, THE KEY WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL TO TURN WHEN INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD START AFTER APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MINUTES OF REPEATED ATTEMPTS. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Electrical system, Apr 23, 2012
THE IGNITION CYLINDER WILL NOT TURN IT IS LOCKED AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. KEY GET STUCK IN THE CYLINDER. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Mar 21, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCKED AND PREVENTED HER FROM INSERTING THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Electrical system, Feb 22, 2012
LEAVING WORK AT THE END OF THE DAY I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. IT WAS VERY COLD AND AFTER ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL SEVERAL TIME FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. I HAVE SINCE HAD DIFFICULTY TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OF MY VEHICLE EVERYDAY. THE LAST INCIDENT WAS WHILE AT THE GAS STATION, WHICH TOOK ALMOST 15 MINUTES TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE ALSO HAD THIS ISSUE, WITH NO RECALL PLACED ON THE VEHICLE AS IT IS NOT AN IMMEDIATE RISK TO SAFETY. ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOW FOUND MY SELF UNCOMFORTABLY ATTEMPTING TO START MY CAR IN LESS THAT SAFE ENVIRONMENTS ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 14, 2012
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN I STOPPED TO GET GAS, I GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN TO STAR THE ENGINE. I WAS STUCK AT A GAS STATION IN THE WINTER AND NO ONE WAS ABLE TO HELP ME. AFTER TWENTY MINUTES OF TRYING DIFFERENT THINGS TO GET IT TO START IT WORKED. THE NEXT DAY I GOT IN MY CAR AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED, EXCEPT THIS TIME NOTHING I DID WOULD START IT. I ENDED UP PAYING $112 FOR A LOCKSMITH TO REPLACE THE IGNITION IN MY CAR. I HAVE READ ON SEVERAL FORUMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR OF FORD FOCUS AND THERE HAS YET TO BE A RECALL. THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF SOMEONE HAS CHILDREN AND IS STRANDED AND UNABLE TO MOVE THEIR VEHICLE TO A SAFE LOCATION. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 7, 2012
KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS BY MORE THEN ONE PERSON. CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE PROBLEM IS REALLY COMMON AND TO TAP THE KEY WITH A HAMMER AND IT WILL TURN AND THAT I NEED TO GO IN AND HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED FOR $500!!! TRIED THEIR HAMMERING SUGGESTION AND THE LOCK STILL WON'T TURN! BECAUSE OF THIS I HAVE MISSED A WHOLE DAY OF SCHOOL. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 6, 2012
IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS AND CANNOT TURN KEY TO START VEHICLE. HAVE TO USE HAND OR SOMETHING TO HIT THE KEY TO START THE CAR. HAPPENS AT RANDOM AND WITHOUT WARNING. GET IN THE CAR AND CAN'T START IT. UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM BUT FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 19, 2012
THE IGNITION CYLINDER WILL NOT TURN. A KEY CAN BE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION, BUT IT CAN NOT BE SET INTO THE "ON OR ACC" POSITION. THE CAR CANT BE STARTED AND IS NOW, IN EFFECT, A ONE TON PAPER WEIGHT. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ONLINE, IT SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON. *TT
Electrical system, Jan 18, 2012
KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION/ IGNITION STUCK. *TT
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 17, 2012
KEY FROZE SOLID IN THE IGNITION . STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN NOR THE KEY. LEFT STRANDED AND HAD TO CALL A LOCKSMITH TO PHYSICALLY DRILL OUT THE FACTORY INSTALLED IGNITION AND REPLACE IT WITH A STRATTEC REPLACEMENT PART # 707592. LOCKSMITH REITERATED WHAT I READ ON THE INTERNET WITH THIS BEING A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 5, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO TURN THE KEY IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE, IT REFUSED TO TURN. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNITION AND REPROGRAMMED THE KEY AND DOOR LOCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,200. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE OLD IGNITION HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED. UPDATED 02/13/12
Electrical system, Dec 30, 2011
FAILURE TO BE ABLE TO TURN IGNITION. HAD TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND SPENT $400! INCONVENIENCE? YES! *KB
Electrical system, Dec 30, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT BE TURNED WHILE IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,542.
Electrical system, Dec 22, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD BE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION WOULD COULD NOT BE TURNED TO START THE VEHICLE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 134,000.
Electrical system, Nov 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.