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, Jan 4, 2010
I WENT TO PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN WHILE IN THE IGNITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED ME APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START MY CAR THE KEY FINALLY TURNS AND THE CAR STARTS. MY FEAR IS, THAT I MAY GET STUCK IN A BAD AREA WHEN TRAVELING AND WILL BE UNABLE TO START THE CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 23, 2009
I AM AN OWNER OF A 2003 FORD FOCUS THAT HAS HAD IGNITION PROBLEMS FOR THE LAST 1.5 YEARS. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, LEAVING ME STRANDED NOW THREE TIMES. I HAVE CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO THEM ASKING THEM FOR A "GOOD WILL" REPAIR, AND TO NO AVAIL. I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF A FORD FOCUS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AND WISH THAT THE NHTSA WOULD GET INVOLVED AND SEEK OUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO FORCE THEM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND REQUIRE THEM TO REIMBURSE THE CONSUMERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS REPAIR PERFORMED. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FORCED TO RECALL THE VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND FIX IT SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE HAD TO LEAVE A KEY IN THE IGNITION THUS MAKING IT VERY EASY FOR A THIEF TO STEAL THE VEHICLE. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 21, 2009
MY WIFE HAS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. SHE WAS IN TOWN AT AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY DAUGHTER. WHEN SHE GOT IN HER CAR TO RETURN HOME THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. SHE WAS STUCK. I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE, EVEN A CLASS ACTION SUIT IN CALIFORNIA. MY CONCERN IS WHAT IF IT WAS LATE AND SHE WAS STUCK, AT NIGHT, IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE? I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND HAVE IT REPAIRED FOR $450. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 21, 2009
I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX5 THAT HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE KEY TURNING IN THE IGNITION. AT RANDOM TIMES AND LOCATIONS WHEN RETURNING TO THE CAR, I WILL FIND THAT I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I MUST WORK AT IT (LONGEST HAS BEEN AN HOUR) TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. THIS CREATES REALLY BIG PROBLEMS WHEN YOU ARE STRANDED WITH KIDS AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO OCCUR. FROM MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, MANY OTHER FORD FOCUS OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE AND THE FIX HAS BEEN TO REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH (SOMETHING ABOUT TUMBLERS NOT ENGAGING) AND THE FORD SERVICE TEAMS ARE VERY AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THE REPAIRS. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS WHY CONSUMERS MUST PAY FOR A WIDE REACHING MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 15, 2009
I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE SUPERMARKET AND WHEN I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND THAT THE FORD FOCUS HAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME NATURE. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE STEERING COLUMN UNLOCKED AND WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED FOR REPAIR. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 15, 2009
I WAS PREPARING TO RUN SOME ERRANDS ON A SATURDAY, BUT WHEN I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND I COULD NOT GET THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. AFTER AROUND 15 MINUTES OF WORKING THE STEERING WHEEL I WAS ABLE TO GET THE KEY TO TURN SO I COULD START THE CAR. THIS KEPT HAPPENING ALL DAY OFF AND ON, UNTIL FINALLY THE NEXT DAY I WAS OUT AT THE GROCERY STORE WITH MY MOTHER AND WHEN WE WENT TO GO HOME, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN NO MATTER HOW MUCH I MOVED THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER SPENDING AN HOUR AND A HALF TRYING EVERYTHING I COULD TO START THE CAR, I FINALLY HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK DRIVER WHO WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND I HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE HELP ME GET IT TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW KEY CYLINDER AND NEW KEYS (WHICH HAVE TO BE PROGRAMMED BECAUSE THE KEYS ARE CODED) WHICH WOULD COST OVER $300. SINCE THIS JUST HAPPENED OUT OF THE BLUE WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND CAN CAUSE ME TO BE STRANDED BY NOT BEING ABLE TO START MY CAR, I THINK THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I TRIED CONTACTING FORD DIRECTLY, BUT WAS BASICALLY TOLD THEY COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THIS, IT SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS (I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX5) AND I BELIEVE SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 14, 2009
THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY FORD FOCUS WAGON (2003) JAMMED. FORD CHARGED ME $430 TO FIX IT, EVEN THOUGH THE PART IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN MANY, MANY VEHICLES. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 13, 2009
I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION THIS HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES ALREADY WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL???? IT SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM.... *TR
Electrical system, Dec 7, 2009
I WAS GOING DO THE INTERSTATE IN MY FORD FOCUS ZX3 WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I LOSE ALL POWER, IM IN THE MIDDLE LANE SURROUNDED BY 18 WHEELERS AND OTHER CARS, AND THEY HAVE TO SWERVE TO AVOID MY CAR BECAUSE THE ALTERNATOR WENT OUT! THIS CAR IS TERRIBLE! *TR
Electrical system, Dec 7, 2009
KEY IN IGNITION WILL NOT TURN, CAN NOT START CAR! WILL HAVE TO GET IT TOWED TO FORD DEALER FOR $300+ REPAIR. DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN STUCK ANYWHERE. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 3, 2009
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS. THE FIRST TIME WAS APPROX ON THE DATE LISTED BELOW. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINS OF JIMMYING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT FINALLY UNLOCKED. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES SINCE THEN AND WITH ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME MESSING WITH IT I WAS ABLE TO GET IT UNLOCKED. TODAY, THOUGH, IT LOCKED UP AGAIN AND NO MATTER WHAT I DO IT WILL NOT UNLOCK. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL MANDATED ON THIS ISSUE SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE A SEVERE PROBLEM WITH THE 2000-2003 FORD FOCUS. WHAT IF I WERE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND I COULD NOT GET MY CAR STARTED? I HAVE HEARD PROBLEMS FROM FELLOW FOCUS OWNERS THAT EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE IGNITION THE SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED AND ALL THEY GET IS A "SORRY" FROM FORD. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!! *TR
Electrical system, Dec 2, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN INSIDE OF THE IGNITION AND SUDDENLY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000. UPDATED 1/11/09 *CN THE IGNITION LOCK HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE KEY OR THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE CAN FEEL THE IGNITION STARTING TO GIVE HER TROUBLE AGAIN. UPDATED 01/14/10.*JB
Electrical system, Dec 2, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75867.
Electrical system, Dec 2, 2009
ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS THE IGNITION IS GONE IT WON'T WORK. I WAS TOLD BY YANKEE FORD THAT THIS IS A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR. IT'S SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE LOCKING CHAMBER IT COST 400.+ DOLLARS TO FIX. IT I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE SOMETHING BAD COULD HAPPEN BE IT ON THE ROAD OR IN A PARKING LOT LATE ONE NIGHT ..........SAY IF SOMEONE IS GETTING OUT OF WORK AND THERE SITTING TRYING TO START THEIR CAR AND IT WON'T AND THEN THEY GET MUGGED ROBBED OF RAPED...ALL BECAUSE OF FORDS FAULTY IGNITION LOCK CHAMBER..... *TR
Electrical system, Nov 24, 2009
THE IGNITION CYLINDER WILL NOT TURN. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 10, 2009
MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTS LEFT ME (A FEMALE) STRANDED LAST NIGHT FOR TWO HOURS AT NIGHT WHILE WAITING FOR A FRIEND TO GIVE ME A RIDE HOME BECAUSE WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE STORE MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I TRIED A NUMBER OF THINGS FOR TWO HOURS AND FINALLY HAD TO LEAVE IT AT THE STORE OVERNIGHT. I TRIED AGAIN THIS MORNING, BUT SAME THING, KEY WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL NO MATTER WHAT I DID! THIS MORNING I WENT ON THE INTERNET TO ASK.COM AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. THERE ARE OVER 100 COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER FOCUS OWNERS OF ALSO BEING STRANDED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!!!!! SOME WOMAN/TEENAGE GIRL IS GOING TO GET ABDUCTED/RAPED AND MURDERED BECAUSE SHE IS LEFT STRANDED BECAUSE THE DUMB KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION!!!! OF COURSE, FIRST THING I DID WAS GO TO FORD TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE IGNITION AND FOUND OUT NO, THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS STUPID CAR PART!!! THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD COST ME PROBABLY BETWEEN $300 AND $500 TO FIX IT!!!! AND IT'S A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT!!!!! I WILL NEVER, EVER BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE OF ANY TYPE AND I WILL TELL EVERYONE I KNOW THAT FORD MAKES PIECE OF '!@#$% CARS AND TO NEVER BUY ONE!!!! *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 10, 2009
I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTS THAT HAS 140,000 MILES. I KNOW MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE IGNITION HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS THAT SCARE ME FROM TIME TO TIME THAT I MAY GET STRANDED. YOU PUT THE KEY IN, GO TO TURN THE KEY TO START AND THE IGNITION ACTS LOCKED. YOU TRY AGAIN AND AGAIN BUT STILL NOTHING. THIS HAS LEFT ME TRYING TO TURN MY IGNITION FOR UP TO 10 MINUTES SO FAR. THIS STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, ONCE A WEEK. NOW IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY, NOT EVERY TIME, BUT AT LEAST 2 OUT OF 5 TIMES I GO TO START MY VEHICLE IT HAPPENS. THIS IS DEFINITELY GETTING WORSE VERY QUICKLY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2000-2003 FORD FOCUS MODELS. I HAVE HEARD THAT EVEN IF I TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED WHICH WILL COST UP AROUND $500, THAT THE NEW IGNITION WILL PROBABLY DO THE SAME THING DUE TO FORD NOT CORRECTING THE PROBLEM IN THE DESIGN OF THE IGNITION. I WILL TRY CALLING A LOCKSMITH DUE TO THE COST BEING LESS. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM OCCURRING AND SHOULD BE CHECKED INTO AS A RECALL MATTER. I DO NOT HAVE THE PATIENCE TO WAIT FOR THAT TO HAPPEN NOR DO I HAVE THE CONFIDENCE THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO GET MY VEHICLE STARTED SO I WILL GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 5, 2009
MY 2003 FORD FOCUS STRANDED ME ON 11/1/2009 BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR FOR YEARS 200 - 2003 AND FORD HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. IT COST ME $300 TO GET THE LOCK CHANGED OUT IN ORDER TO DRIVE THE CAR. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AS IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO STRAND OWNERS LIKE THIS. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 30, 2009
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION WONT TURN RESULTING IS A STRANDING SITUATION, POSSIBLY IN DANGEROUS AREAS. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 29, 2009
UPON LEAVING WORK LAST NIGHT, I PUT MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. 4 PEOPLE TRIED TO TURN THE KEY, STILL WITHOUT SUCCESS. I TRIED TO WIGGLE TO STEERING WHEEL, THE GEAR SHIFT AND LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR BEFORE TRYING AGAIN. FINALLY, MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. THE TOWING MAN STATED THAT THIS IS THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINT ON ALL THE FORD FOCUSES HE TOWS, AS DO MANY WEBSITES I HAVE RECENTLY LOCATED. OVERALL, IT SEEMS THAT ONCE I FINISHED PAYING OFF MY FORD FOCUS, IT HAS BEEN NEEDING MECHANIC WORK EVER SINCE ON VARIOUS PARTS. I ALWAYS GET MY ROUTINE OIL CHANGES AND MILEAGES CHECK-UPS. MY CAR IS NOW AT THE MECHANIC AND I AM AWAITING AN ESTIMATE. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 28, 2009
I BOUGHT A 2003 FORD FOCUS FROM AN AUTO DEALER IN AUGUST, 2009. I AM HAVING CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION CYLINDER - THE KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN IT. I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP HERE THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE $450 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE, I'VE FOUND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2003-2004 FORD FOCUS CARS! PLEASE CONSIDER A RECALL FOR THE DEFECT. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 9, 2009
IGNITION LOCKS AND I AM UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO START MY FORD FOCUS 2003. I WAS LEFT STRANDED WITH MY SIXTH MO. OLD SON WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS AT A GAS STATION. I HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED AND HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED FOR $290.00 IN ADDITION TO TOWING FEES. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS OCCURRED, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS AND WAS WARNED BY THE TECH THAT REPLACED THE IGNITION, THAT THERE IS A VERY GOOD CHANCE IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. I LIVE IN A MINNESOTA WHERE WINTERS ARE VERY COLD, AND AM CONCERNED I WILL BE STRANDED AGAIN WITH AN INFANT BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFAULT. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 8, 2009
ON TUESDAY MY CAR OPERATED NORMALLY. WEDNESDAY MORNING I WENT TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN. FORTUNATELY I WAS AT HOME, HOWEVER I COULD HAVE BEEN STUCK SOMEWHERE. I COULD HAVE HAD AN EMERGENCY AND NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE MY CAR. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, MISS 3 DAYS OF WORK AND AM OUT $510. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 7, 2009
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY AND TUMBLER SWITCH. I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WON'T TURN. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED NUMEROUS TIMES. I UNDERSTAND THE REPAIRS ARE $400 +. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 5, 2009
I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS WITH NO IGNITION PROBLEM. I DROVE TO WORK, AND RAN A FEW WORK RELATED ERRANDS THROUGHOUT THE DAY. AS I WAS PREPARING TO LEAVE WORK FOR THE DAY I PUT MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND IT FELT AS IF IT WERE COMPLETELY LOCKED. MORE THAN 3 PEOPLE TRIED TO TURN THE KEY AND OFFERED DIFFERENT IDEAS AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. TRIPLE A WAS CALLED OUT AND HE EXPLAINED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. HE INFORMED ME THE TUMBLERS IN THE IGNITION HAVE SUDDENLY STOPPED DROPPING AND RECOGNIZING MY KEY. HE THEN PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, TAPPED IN A FEW TIMES TO RELEASE THE TUMBLERS AND IT STARTED. WE THEN TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND STRUGGLED A BIT TO GET THE KEY OUT. IT IS NOW 2 DAYS LATER AND THE SITUATION HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND IS AFFECTING MY TRANSPORTATION. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW IT WORKED FINE ALL DAY WITHOUT A "STICKING" FEELING OR A RESISTANCE TO TURN AND NOW IT IS COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IN AND TURN THE KEY WITH EASE. IT IS SIMPLY STUCK AND NO ONE CAN REALLY EXPLAIN WHY, OTHER THAN POOR QUALITY WITHIN THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TR