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, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 25, 2009
WE DROVE OUR 2003 FORD FOCUS TO THE GROCERY STORE. UPON RETURNING TO THE CAR, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION AND STRANDED MY WIFE, 4 YEAR OLD AND 6 MONTH OLD CHILDREN AND MYSELF WONDERING WHAT WE COULD DO. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 23, 2009
WITH NO WARNING, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, AND IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN FIVE YEARS LATER. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 23, 2009
KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION OF 2003 FORD FOCUS. THIS HAPPENS FAIRLY OFTEN, BUT AFTER SEVERAL TRIES THE KEY WILL USUALLY WORK. NOW THE KEY WON'T WORK AT ALL. HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR BEHIND. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 21, 2009
IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 18, 2009
FORD FOCUS KEY/IGNITION PROBLEM. THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE YEARS 2000 - 2003. ALSO FOUND INFORMATION THAT THE OEM PARTS USED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM HAVE THE SAME DEFECT. LUCKILY MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE PARKING LOT AT HER APARTMENT. BUT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED ANYWHERE, I.E. HIGHWAY, ROAD, ISOLATED AREA, ETC... BOTTOM LINE IS THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE DEFECTIVE PART AND HAS MADE NO EFFORT TO CORRECT THE DEFECTIVE PART, OTHER THAN MAKING THE OWNER PAY $400 PLUS DOLLARS TO PUT IN ANOTHER OEM DEFECTIVE PART. SOMEONE NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS PART AT FORD. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 17, 2009
THE KEY WAS STARTING TO STICK THEN I COULD NOT GET THE IN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO START THE CAR SO MY SON THAT WORKS FOR FORD SAID TO TAP ON THE KEY THEN IT SHOULD START SO I DID AND IT WORKED IT IS AN ON GOING THING I THINK THAT IF FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL ON IT THE CAR IS A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY LIKE THE OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM SO NOW I HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED LIKE ALL OF THE OTHER OWNERS IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY I GO TO GET MY CAR STARTED IT IS VERY ANNOYING. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 11, 2009
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS. A FEW MONTHS AGO THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION AT TIMES. USUALLY AFTER A FEW TRIES IT WOULD FINALLY TURN OVER. THIS PAST TUESDAY WHILE AT A GROCERY STORE MY LUCK RUN OUT. NOW THE KEY WILL NOT WORK AT ALL. THE IGNITION IS LOCKED UP. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIPS AND THEY SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. IF IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THEN WHY ISN'T SOMETHING BEING DONE ABOUT IT? THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND THE PLACE I HAD MY CAR REPAIRED WHERE ALSO FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. WHAT DO CONSUMER'S HAVE TO DO NOT BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY THE FORD COMPANY. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE STRANDED OUT SOMEWHERE AND KILLED BEFORE FORD ADMITS TO A PROBLEM. I HAVE ALWAYS BOUGHT FORDS BUT AFTER THIS I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 7, 2009
I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND THE KEY WILL NOT START THE CAR UNTIL IT IS GENTLY TAPPED WITH A HAMMER (I LEARNED HOW TO DO THIS BY READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET) THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM FOR INSTANCE A PERSON IS ALONE IN AN UNLIT AREA AFTER WORKING THE LATE SHIFT THEY CANT START THEIR CAR CAUSE THE IGNITION MECHANISMS ARE DEFECTIVE FORD RECOGNIZES THE PROBLEM BUT FOR SOME REASON HAS NOT BEEN LEGALLY REQUIRED TO FIX THIS DEFECT BY RECALLING ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE IS THE FACT THAT I HAVE TO CARRY A HAMMER IN MY CAR WHEREVER I GO THE COPS COULD SAY I AM CARRYING IT AS A WEAPON. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 31, 2009
MY 19 YEAR OLD SON A FULL TIME COLLEGE STUDENT, WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT A DISTANCE FROM HOME BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. A FEW TIMES HE HAS HAD TO, JIGGLE THE KEY TO START THE CAR. AND NOW IT WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. THE CAR IS STILL STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT HAPPENED ON THE WEEKEND. I AM IN FEAR FOR MY SONS SAFETY, HEADING BACK TO COLLEGE 6 HOURS FROM HOME. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 25, 2009
I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS. I JUST HIT 70K MILES YESTERDAY, AND STARTING TODAY MY IGNITION IS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. MY CAR IS IN PARK, THE TIRES ARE NOT TURNED, ETC. I WENT BACK IN THE HOUSE TO TRY AND FIND A SOLUTION AND UPON SEARCHING I FOUND SITE AFTER SITE, COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT ABOUT 2000-2003 FORD FOCUS' LOCKING UP LIKE THIS AFTER 70K MILES, AND THAT IT COSTS $500 TO FIX. MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BUT IS NOT COVERED BY FORD AND HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THIS AND NOW MY CAR IS USELESS AND CAN'T EVEN BE MOVED. I CAN ONLY MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL ABOUT AN INCH AND A HALF EITHER WAY AND THE KEY IN THE IGNITION DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 21, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE GAS GAUGE AND THE SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO REGISTER THE FUEL LEVEL AND SPEED. THIS OCCURS APPROXIMATELY 6 TO 7 TIMES A DAY. THE DEALER STATED THE COST TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE IS $70.00. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT HE IS AWARE THAT THE FAILURE EXIST WITH HER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE; HOWEVER, HE WOULD ALSO HAVE TO MAIL THE PART TO BE REPAIRED BY ANOTHER FACILITY. THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN 2 DAYS DUE TO THE ODOMETER READING. THE CONTACT IS REQUESTING THAT THE MANUFACTURER ASSUMES THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 19, 2009
I HAVE A FORD FOCUS 2003 IN WHICH THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN AND EVERYTIME I NEED TO START THE CAR I HAVE TO ROCK THE STEERING WHEEL REAL HARD RIGHT TO LEFT. ONE OCCASION THE CAR LOCKED UP ON ME WHILE BACK BUT FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT AS I WAS MOVING VERY SLOW. THIS IGNITION PROBLEM IS A VERY REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND STEPS NEED TO BE TAKEN TO MAKE FORD FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. YOU ONLY HAVE TO GO TO THE INTERNET AND PUT IN THE SEARCH WINDOW "FORD FOCUS IGNITION PROBLEMS" AND IT WILL TELL YOU ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW. IN FACT I FOUND OUT IN CALIFORNIA THERE IS A CLSS ACTION SUITE AGAINST FORD FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. I WILL PROBABLY HAVE A LOCKSMITH FIX THE IGNITION AS I DON'T WANT TOPAY DOUBLE TO THE FORD DEALER. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 15, 2009
BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS FOR THE LAST FOUR MONTHS WITH THE IGNITION CYLINDER STICKING. ON AUG 13, 2009 I WENT TO START THE CAR AND THE CYLINDER WAS STUCK. I HAVE A NEW CYLINDER TO REPLACE THE OLD ONE. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 15, 2009
THE IGNITION SWITCH ON OUT 2003 FORD FOCUS CONTINUALLY JAMS AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN AND START THE CAR. THIS CAN BE REMEDIED ON OCCASION BY HITTING THE KEY WHILE IN PLACE, BUT THE TIME IT TAKES TO GET IT UNJAMMED VARIES. WE'RE AFRAID THIS MAY HAPPEN WHILE MY WIFE AND CHILD ARE OUT SOMEWHERE AND THERE IS NO ONE TO HELP THEM, THUS LEAVING THEM STRANDED. WE'VE LOOKED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THIS IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST TWICE IN ANY GIVEN DAY; SOMETIMES IT'S MORE OFTEN THAN THAT. THE ONLY REAL SOLUTION WE HAVE AT THE MOMENT IS TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, BUT THIS MAKES THE CAR PRONE TO BEING STOLEN, THUS LEAVING US WITH NO TRANSPORTATION. WE TRIED CONTACTING FORD DIRECTLY AND WERE TOLD TO CALL BACK ON MONDAY. AS WE UNDERSTAND IT FROM OUR ONLINE RESEARCH, THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH. AS FAR AS WE KNOW, THERE IS NO RECALL ABOUT THIS, ALTHOUGH A CLASS ACTION SUIT HAS BEEN FILED IN CALIFORNIA REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 12, 2009
THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 45000 MILES AND HAS BEEN TREATED GENTLY. I'VE READ 100'S OF POSTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE AND YET FORD IS RELUCTANT TO RECALL THIS OR EVEN OFFER A DISCOUNT. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 10, 2009
MY BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED: THE RESULT OF THE WIRING HARNESS BEING CONSTANTLY ABRADED IN THE HINGE OF THE HATCHBACK. ALL OF THE WIRES WERE EXPOSED, AND IT CAUSED NOT ONLY A DRIVING SAFETY HAZARD, BUT A FIRE HAZARD AS WELL. IN THE YEAR 2000, THIS SAME PROBLEM CAUSED A RECALL OF THE 2000 FORD FOCUSES, BUT I HAVE WRITTEN TO FORD AND THEY DENY ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY CAR. "THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER REGARDING THE WIRING HARNESS CONCERN ON YOUR 2003 FORD FOCUS. YOUR VEHICLE IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY RECALLS OR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAMS AT THIS TIME." IS THEIR RESPONSE. I AM HAVING THE PROBLEM CORRECTED BY MY MECHANIC: HE WILL LENGTHEN THE WIRES SO THAT THEY CANNOT BE CAUGHT IN THE HINGE. FORD ONLY WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE HARNESS, WHICH IS THE SAME AS THE ONE THAT FAILED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 8, 2009
THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION AND I WAS STRANDED AT A WALMART PARKING LOT. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 6, 2009
THE FORD FOCUS 2003 PROBLEM, THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION, OR THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 30, 2009
CAR PARKED AT MALL LATER AT NIGHT. WHEN TO TRY AND START CAR BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS FAILURE CAUSED ME TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED WHICH COST $427.00. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY BUT WAS MOST LIKELY REPLACED WITH THE SAME TYPE OF SWITCH WHICH WILL FAIL AGAIN. I WAS ALSO LEFT STRANDED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT IN A DESERTED AREA OR THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING.*TR
Electrical system, Jul 29, 2009
FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH FROZE UP IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. COULD NOT START CAR , TURN WHEEL OR TAKE OUT OF PARK. FORD COMPANY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THEIR FAULTING IGNITION. THIS IS DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN WHO TRAVEL ALONE. THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS PART........... *TR
Electrical system, Jul 27, 2009
THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE TO TEND TO ONE OF MY CHILDREN AND THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO CALL FOR A RIDE AND A TOW TRUCK. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. THE IGNITION IS "LOCKED". MY FAMILY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE TO MOVE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. VERY UNSAFE. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS TODAY AND IT APPEARS SO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2000-2003 FORD FOCUS. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2009
NOTHING LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE OTHER THAN IT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO A SHOP. THE IGNITION KEY DOES NOT TURN, IT LOCKS. I CANNOT START MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS. I GOT STRANDED WITH NO CASH, NO FOOD OR WATER IN THE HEAT WITH NO SHADE AROUND. DEHYDRATION WAS A CONCERN. I HAVEN'T FIXED IT YET, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST WAY. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS POSTS PERTAINING TO THIS PROBLEM AND THAT'S HOW I CAME TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 1, 2009
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH IGNITION ON 2003 FORD FOCUS; THE WHEEL LOCKS AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. THIS HAS BEEN A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED I WAS PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. AFTER PERSISTENTLY WIGGLING THE WHEEL AND KEY FOR TWENTY OR SO MINUTES, THE IGNITION ENABLED THE KEY TO TURN. BEING THAT THE IGNITION FAILED WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE AND THAT I WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY IN A SAFE MANNER IS POTENTIALLY FATAL TO PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS OF THE FORD FOCUS. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE FORD FOCUS FAULTY IGNITION HAVE BEEN UNPREDICTABLE INTRODUCTIONS TO BEING STRANDED AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROVOCATIONS. THE SECOND TIME MY IGNITION FAILED, NEARLY A MONTH AFTERWARDS, THE IGNITION FAILED ON THE FOCUS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE ALSO. THE WHEEL LOCKED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE LATE AT NIGHT. DIRECT RESULTS OF THE FAULTY FORD IGNITION PUT DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS IN DANGER AND MOREOVER PREVENT THEM FROM LEAVING DANGEROUS PLACES. IT TOOK WELL OVER A HALF HOUR IN THE DANGEROUS FAILURE OF MY LOCKS ALSO: THE THIRD IGNITION FAILURE ALSO COMPOUNDING IN THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO PUTTER OUT. ACTIONS TO CORRECT THE SECOND INCIDENT WERE FROM A MECHANIC TO USE WD 40 AND TRY USING A SEPARATE KEY, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS MUCH MORE COMPLEX AND DANGEROUS THAN ANTICIPATED. USING MY SPARE KEY WORKED AND THE IGNITION NO LONGER LOCKED. THESE ACTIONS SUGGESTED BY A MECHANIC REMEDIED THE PROBLEM, BUT ONLY TEMPORARILY. THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WAS YESTERDAY, AND I'M NOW GETTING ESTIMATES FOR REPLACING THE IGNITION AND THE SECURITY SYSTEM. IN LIEU OF NEAR DEATH, I DEMAND A RECALL. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 25, 2009
THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN MY IGNITION ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE TO JIGGLE AND JIGGLE TO GET IT FINALLY TURN. IT IS LIKE IT LOCKS UP. GOING TO SEE A LOCK SMITH ABOUT POSSIBLY GETTING IT FIXED IF I CAN NOT GET FORD TO MAKE A GOOD FAITH REPAIR ON IT. TOOK MY 20 MINUTES TO GET THE KEY TO TURN IN ORDER TO START MY CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 22, 2009
2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3. IGNITION SWITCH LOCKING UP AND NOT ALLOWING THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 6 TIME IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. THIS PROBLEM HAS MADE ME LATE FOR WORK EACH TIME. *TR