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, Apr 6, 2010
IGNITION LOCKS UP AND CAN NOT TURN KEY TO START ENGINE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 18, 2010
MY 2003 FORD FOCUS HAS A IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM ALL OF A SUDDEN THE KEY WILL NOT START THE CAR IT HAS LEFT US STRANDED AND HAS TAKEN US AS LONG AS 30 MINUTES TO START CAR. WE HAVE TRIED SEVERAL REMEDIES LIKE SILICONE SPRAY, TAPPING ON KEY SO IT WILL START THIS PROBLEM HAS EFFECTED A HOST OF FOCUS OWNERS WITH COSTLY REPAIRS AND WE WILL SOON HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO REPAIR THIS OBVIOUSLY FLAWED DESIGN. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2010
2003 FORD FOCUS, ZX3, 2.3 LITER. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 TIMES, LEAVING ME STRANDED TWICE. WE ARE CALLING A LOCK SMITH TO RE-KEY THE IGNITION AND DOORS AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 15, 2010
I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. JUST THIS WEEK THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION AND MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD BE LOCKED. I WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO GET MY CAR STARTED AFTER A FEW TRIES OR 10 MINUTES OR SO. TODAY I SAT IN MY CAR FOR 40 MINUTES TRYING TO GET MY KEY TO TURN; IT WOULD NOT. I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR AT THE SCHOOL WHICH I WORK AT, SINCE I AM A TEACHER, AND BE PICKED UP. I HAVE JUST READ ONLINE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE OR ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE AND THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE IGNITION YET. I AM CONFUSED AS TO WHY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT LEAVES YOU STRANDED AND TO NOT BE ABLE TO GET YOUR CAR STARTED IS A BIG DEAL. IF IT WAS JUST MY CAR, FINE, I WOULD GET IT FIXED WITH NO ISSUE. BUT TO READ THAT HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND FORD FOCUS' ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE IS A LITTLE OUTRAGEOUS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THANK YOU. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 15, 2010
THE IGNITION SWITCH (THAT IS, WHERE THE KEY GOES TO START THE CAR) WOULD NOT TURN. I WAS STUCK AND HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. THERE HAD BEEN NO WARNING, THAT IS, THE KEY WAS NEVER HARD TO TURN, I NEVER HAD TO JIGGLE THE STEERING COLUMN, OR ANYTHING LIKED THAT. I JUST PARKED THE CAR IN FRONT OF A STORE, AND FIVE MINTS LATER, WENT OUT AND FOUND OUT THEY KEY WOULD NOT TURN. (I COULD REMOVE AND RE-INSERT THE KEY, IT WOULD NOT TURN) . FURTHER MORE, THE DEALER AND AAA, OF COURSE, SAY TO TRY JIGGLING THE STEERING WHEEL. ALL THAT DID WAS LOCK THE FRONT WHEELS IN A TURNED POSITION AND MADE IT VERY HARD TO MOVE THE CAR GET IT TO A POSITION TO BE TOWED. HAVING THE WHEELS LOCK IN A TURNED POSITION, AS IS COMMON, COULD BE A HAZARD TOO. THE AAA GUY COULD NOT FREE (TURN) THE IGNITION SWITCH IT EITHER. I HAD FIRST CELL-PHONED CALLED THE DEALER, THEY HAD NO SUGGESTIONS. I SEE I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM SO MANY OTHER 2003 FOCUSES HAVE REPORTED. THE DEALER GUESSED THAT THE CAUSE WAS THAT ONE OF THE PINS IN THE LOCK JUST SLIPPED OUT OF PLACE. THE FORD DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT WAS NOT CHEAP. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT, OR PART OF IT. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 12, 2010
UNABLE TO TURN KEY IN THE IGNITION. HAD OCCURRED SPORADICALLY LEADING UP TO THE DATE WHEN IT WAS THEN UNABLE TO BE USED AT ALL, LEAVING FAMILY STRANDED. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IGNITION REPLACED. SUBSEQUENT RESEARCH REVEALED THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 7, 2010
I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WE CANNOT GET THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION AND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE READ THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY FORD FOCUS OWNERS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR ON AND OFF. I FIND THIS TO BE OFFENSIVE THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED AS A RECALL WHEN I SEE THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. CLEARLY IT IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE IGNITION. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 5, 2010
2003 FORD FOCUS. WENT TO DRIVE THE CAR GOT IN PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WON'T TURN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. 3/4/10, THE FIRST TIME, IT "FINALLY", AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES TURNED AFTER PUTTING THE KEY IN AND OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE SECOND TIME ON 3/5/10, IT JUST WOULDN'T TURN. THE CAR IS SITTING, WILL HAVE TO CALL A LOCK SMITH TO GET IT FIXED. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 4, 2010
IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN, AND VEHICLE CAN NOT BE STARTED, REMOVING KEY AND INSERTING AGAIN AND AGAIN WOULD ALLOW IT TO START THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME. NOW IT WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Mar 2, 2010
2003 FORD FOCUS ZX5--KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION, SO CAN'T START CAR. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND NO AMOUNT OF CRANKING, JIGGLING, ETC., WOULD ALLOW ME TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND START THE CAR. WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS, THEN TONIGHT I COULDN'T GET THE CAR STARTED AT ALL; NEITHER COULD A KIND STRANGER; NEITHER COULD MY HUSBAND. SNOWING AND COLD. I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR IN A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT OVERNIGHT AND HOPE IT WILL BE UNHARMED IN THE MORNING. WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE: TWO WEEKS AGO I WAS 120 MILES FROM HOME FOR THREE DAYS AND WOULD HAVE BEEN TERRIBLY STRANDED. I UNDERSTAND THAT FORD WILL REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE PART (IGNITION SWITCH) WITH THE SAME SWITCH, WHICH WILL ALSO BE DEFECTIVE, AND THAT I CAN LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING STRANDED AGAIN WHEN THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AGAIN. COST WILL BE BETWEEN $350 AND $400, PLUS TIME AWAY FROM TEACHING SCHOOL (NOT A GOOD IDEA AND FROWNED UPON BY ADMINISTRATION). THE $350-$400 WILL ONLY BUY ME ANOTHER FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. OTHERS HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN FREEZING, SNOWY WEATHER NOWHERE NEAR A REPAIR SHOP, IN EXTREME HEAT WITH SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR, IN UNSAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AT NIGHT (SEE HTTP://WWW.FORDPROBLEMS.COM/FOCUS/KEY-WONT-TURN-IN-THE-IGNITION.SHTML COMPLAINTS). FORD SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM AT NO COST THROUGH A RECALL AND INSTALLATION OF A RELIABLE IGNITION SWITCH. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 24, 2010
I AM A WOMAN WHO WAS LEFT SITTING WHEN MY IGNITION LOCKED UP AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. I CALLED TRIPLE A AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS AT A COST OF $278.00 I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT APPARENTLY HAS NOT BEEN FIXED BY FORD AND COULD EASILY HAPPEN AGAIN. OF COURSE, THIS WOULD RESULT IN ANOTHER LARGE AMOUNT OF OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE FOR A NEGLECTING ACT OF FORD. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON EXPENSIVE PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. IT'S A DANGEROUS THING FOR ANYONE TO BE LEFT SITTING WITHOUT A FUNCTIONING VEHICLE, LET ALONE A WOMAN BY HERSELF. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 19, 2010
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION. WE TRIED 3 KEYS AND THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. WE DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. OVER 116 SO FOR THAT HAVE SUBMITTED SUCH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. RECALL NECESSARY!!!!! *TR
Electrical system, Feb 18, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE SECURITY SYSTEM; PASS SECURITY SWITCH. THE REPAIR PART WAS ORDERED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE PART. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
Electrical system, Feb 17, 2010
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS SEDAN AND THE IGNITION LOCKED UP ONE DAY AND WOULDN'T START. IT WASN'T THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKING AND I HAD TO CALL AAA THINKING I'D NEED TO GET TOWED. THE AAA GUY ACTUALLY TOLD ME THIS WAS A VERY COMMON FORD PROBLEM AND THAT I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T STRANDED TOO FAR. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO START THE CAR BY HITTING THE KEY WITH A SMALL TOOL TO "UNLOCK" THE IGNITION. I'VE TRIED LEAVING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM HAPPENING AGAIN, WHICH MAKES ME FEEL UNSAFE, BUT THE PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY TIME I TAKE THE KEY OUT AND MADE ME WORRIED ABOUT BEING STRANDED OR PAYING TOWING COSTS. I FINALLY TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALER AND IT IS GOING TO COST ME ALMOST $500 TO GET THE IGNITION REPLACED. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 4, 2010
I'M UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH LEFT ME STRANDED AT WORK AFTER 5:00PM AT NIGHT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CAR BECOMES INOPERABLE UNTIL REPAIRS ARE MADE. THIS DID HAPPEN TO ME ONCE BEFORE AROUND 09/2009. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCKSMITH AND THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX IT. THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MY CAR. I LOOKED THIS ISSUE UP ONLINE AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE RECTIFIED BY FORD THROUGH A RECALL. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID ALL WE CAN DO AT THIS POINT IS LOG YOUR CALL. BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE I'VE BEEN STRANDED TWICE IN THE PM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RECTIFIED BY FORD. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 30, 2010
MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES ON IT WOULD NOT START. APPARENTLY THE IGNITION HAS A DEFECT LEAVING ME STRANDED AT WORK. AS A SOLDIER THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT RELY ON ME TO BE AT A CERTAIN PLACE AT A CERTAIN TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. APPARENTLY THE DEFECT IS WIDELY REPORTED FOR FORD FOCUS YEARS 2000 TO 2003. IT COULD COST ME DEARLY IF I WAS STRANDED IN WEATHER, A REMOTE LOCATION WITHOUT A CELL PHONE, OR IF MY BABY WAS SICK AND NEEDED TO BE RUSHED TO THE ER. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 26, 2010
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,RECENTLY I WAS STRANDED ON THE ROAD LATE AT NIGHT WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS FAILED TO TURN OVER. I LATER FOUND OUT THIS IS AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. AS A FEMALE STRANDED ALONE THIS COULD HAVE LED DIRE CONSEQUENCES! NOW I FIND THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME SOME$500 TO REPAIR THE SWITCH..TO BE PUT IN JEOPARDY THEN CHARGED AN OBSCENE AMOUNT FOR THEIR DESIGN FLAW IS OUTRAGEOUS. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 24, 2010
MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES IN HER 2003 FORD FOCUS. SHE CANNOT TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER IS GOING TO CHARGE $800 TO FIX THIS COMMON PROBLEM AND WE DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 21, 2010
NO EVENTS TO INDICATE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM. THE FAILURE, OCCURRING NOW SPORADICALLY AND W/O WARNING, RESULTS IN AN INABILITY TO TURN THE IGNITION LEAVING US STRANDED FOR THE UNSAFE AND SILLY REASON OF BEING UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY. NO OLD PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AND CLOSE TO 400 DOLLARS LATER, THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNITION. HOWEVER, ONLY ONE MONTH AFTER HAVING IT REPLACED, THE IGNITION FAILED TO START AGAIN (IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO RETURN THE KEY) AND ALAS, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 20, 2010
IGNITION IN 2003 FORD FOCUS FAILS TO WORK. KNOW ISSUE WITH FORD FOCUS WHICH SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE DUE TO POTENTIAL SAFETY FACTORS. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE IGNITION AND STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE MOVED ONCE THE KEY WAS TURNED TO THE LOCK POSITION. THE KEY ALSO COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60000.
Electrical system, Jan 14, 2010
MY IGNITION WILL NOT TURN ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT (OR SO I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY FORD), YET IS NOT ON ANY RECALLS. IT NEEDS TO HAVE THE COMPLETE IGNITION REPLACED -- AT MY OWN COST! APPARENTLY THE PARTS ARE POORLY MADE AND THEY FAIL. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 9, 2010
FORD FOCUS 2003 IGNITION PROBLEM. KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. HAVE BEEN TOLD NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. IGNITION MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $450.00. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 6, 2010
THE IGNITION LOCK ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS LOCKS UP AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. IT STARTED OUT AS JUST STICKING A LITTLE BIT BUT WORKING AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SEVERAL TIMES. IT ENDED WITH IT COMPLETELY LOCKING UP. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A SAFE PLACE AND A LOCKSMITH CAME OUT AND REPAIRED THE PINS IN THE IGNITION TUMBLER. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 4, 2010
THE IGNITION LOCK OF THE FORD FOCUS COMPLETELY JAMMED/LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING IN A QUESTIONABLE PART OF TOWN DUE TO SUBSTANDARD MANUFACTURING. I WAS STRANDED FOR OVER 3 HOURS. *TR