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: hydraulic
54 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 9, 2005
REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR BRAKES AND FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT ON 2003 FORD FOCUS. *BF THE CONSUMER TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Mar 8, 2005
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKES ARE NOT THE PROBLEM. *TC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 12, 2005
MY 2003 FOCUS ZTW WAGON HAS BEEN IN FOR BRAKES 3 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. FORD STANDING BY THIS AS A "WEAR" ITEM NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. COULD I HAVE 2002 PARTS IN MY VEHICLE? I HAVE HAD BRAKE INSPECTIONS DONE WITH OIL CHANGES INDICATING EVERYTHING IN THE "GREEN ZONE". THE ROTOR WARPING IS SUDDEN AND UNPREDICTABLE. 3 BRAKE JOBS IN ONE YEAR IS EXCESSIVE AND PROBLEMATIC. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE EVEN WITH THE BRAKES BEING FIXED. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 11, 2005
TE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN A SUDDEN STOP. INTERMITTENTLY THE PEDAL WOULD FEEL SOFT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM. *JB
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 4, 2005
THERE IS SERIOUS PROBLEMS W/ THE FRONT END OF THIS VEHICLE. IT WAS PURCHASED APPROX. 17 MONTHS AGO. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD 3 MAJOR BRAKE JOBS. TWICE, THE PADS WERE REPLACED AND ONCE BOTH THE PADS AND THE ROTORS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO RESONATES AT HIGH SPEEDS. EVERYTHING SHAKES INCLUDING THE STERRING WHEEL AND THE STATES. IT APPEARS MY TWO FRONT TIRES ARE OUT OF ROUND. FORD ORIGINALLY SAID IT WAS DEFECT IN THE TIRE, WHICH I REPLACED, HOWEVER THE NEW TIRE IS OUT OF ROUND AS WELL. AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE SAYS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT STRUTS. FORD HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM ME REGUARDING BOTH THE BRAKES AND THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. ALSO THE VEHICLE IS VERY LOUD AND IT APPEARS TO BE AIR COMING IN WHEN. FORD INITIALLY RESEALED THE WINDSHIELD, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED.*AK
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 9, 2004
MY CAR WHEN FIRST BOUGHT ALWAYS MOANED AND GROANED UPON BRAKING. I BOUGHT MY CAR 9/14/2003. THE NEXT YEAR IN 5/22/04 THE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 3,500 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER DID PAY FOR AFTER A RUN AROUND. I HAD TO WAIT A WEEK BEFORE BEING ABLE TO TAKE MY CAR IN AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR TO NOT DRIVE MY CAR. HERE I AM IN DECEMBER NOISE IS BACK AND ROTORS ARE ALL BUMPY AGAIN WITH ONLY 8,100 MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP IS WORKING ON TAKING CARE OF IT BUT I AM GOING TO FILE A DISPUTE WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY .*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 30, 2004
18,000 MILES ON A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE RUINED, THE DEALER TOLD ME I CAN EXPECT THIS WITH A FOCUS OR A ESCAPE BECAUSE OF CENTER MOUNTED ROTORS. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER 2500 MILES AGO. STATE POLICE CAN'T HELP ME DUE THE TIME THAT HAS PASSED SINCE INSPECTION. *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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 30, 2004
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX5. BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 1/2004. REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN SQUEALING FOR 2 MONTHS NOW. I'VE TAKEN IT TO A FORD DEALER AND A BRAKE SHOP AND BOTH HAVE SAID THE BRAKES ARE FINE. NOW THERE IS A DEFINITE SPONGY FEEL IN THE PEDAL AND A LOUD CREAKING NOISE FROM THE BACK, AND FINALLY YESTERDAY WHEN I DEPRESSED THE PEDAL TO STOP, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AT ALL FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS. I NEARLY STRUCK A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING IN FRONT OF ME. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 25, 2004
BACK AT ABOUT 18000, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED. THEY WERE SQUEAKING AND HAD EXCESSIVE DUST ON RIMS. AT TIMES I WOULD GET A GRINDING NOISE. THEY SAID "ALL WAS FINE." I TOOK MY CAR BACK AGAIN WITH THE SAME ISSUES, AT ABOUT 20000 MILES AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED NEW BRAKES AND SINCE THE ROTORS WERE "SO THIN" THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALSO. I ASKED ABOUT THE SERVICE BULLITEN THAT IS OUT ON THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT "FORD" WAS NOT GOING TO REPLACE THEM. I AM MAD BEYOND BELIEF THAT THERE IS A "BULLITEN" ON THIS ISSUE AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. THIS NEW OF CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE THREW THE BRAKES THIS QUICK. THAT IS EXACTLEY WHAT I WAS TOLD ON MY INDEPENDENT EVALUATION. NOW I AM STUCK PAYING FOR THIS EVEN THOUGH FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 27, 2004
I PURCHASED A 2003 FOCUS FROM A DEALER WHO HAD USED IT FOR A DEMONSTRATION VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS OBTAINED ON OR ABOUT MARCH OF 2004 WITH ABOUT 5,600 MILES. AT THE TIME THE BRAKES SEEMED FINE. TWO WEEKS AGO I HEARD A NOISE AT 16,800 MILES. WHEN I PULLED THE WHEELS TO INSPECT THE BRAKES, I FOUND THE INNER DISC PADS DOWN TO METAL AND THE OUTER PADS WITH ABOUT 1/8 - 1/4" REMAINING. THE ROTORS ARE SCORED ON BOTH SIDES. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? I HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH MY TAURUS. ANYONE ELSE HAVING THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS? I AM STARTING TO THINK THAT THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH FORD'S FRONT DISC BRAKES, OR THAT THE READ DRUMS ARE HOPELESSLY UNDER POWERED.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 24, 2004
FORD FOCUS 2003 ROTORS WEAR OUT INCREDIBLY FAST.. TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A 30,000 INSPECTION AND HAD TO HAVE NEW ROTORS AND BREAKS I WAS TOLD THAT MANY FOCUS'S ARE COMING IN AT 30,000 THAT NEED NEW ROTORS. WHY??? UNLESS THEY ARE DEFECTIVE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 7, 2004
2003 FORD FOCUS BRAKES ARE WEARING UNEVEN, RUBBING, AND SQUEEKING. THE FRONT ROTORS HAVE GROVES BEYOND ALLOWABLE LIMITS WHILE 40% OF PADS REMAIN. LOOKS AS IF THE FRONT PADS ARE EATING THE ROTORS. WHEN TAKEN TO FORD THEY SAY ITS NORMAL WEAR, WHAT A LIE.. THIS COULD CAUSE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT, IM SURPRISED FORD HASNT LEARNED THEIR LESSON FROM PAST EXPERIENCE. SINCE FOR HAS REFUSED TO TAKE ACTION ON THEIR FAULTY BRAKES, THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT REALLY WISH YOU GUYS WOULD STEP FORWARD AND MAKE THEM BEFORE PEOPLE GET KILLED.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Service brakes, Air, Aug 31, 2004
EVERY SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEAKED. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR THE FIRST SERVICE, I INFORMED THE MECHANIC OF MY CONCERN ABOUT THE SQUEAKING BRAKES AND THE OVERWHELMING AMOUNTOF BRAKE DUST ON MY WHEELS AND RIMS. AFTER THAT CHECK UP I WAS TOLD MY BRAKES WERE FINE AND I PLEADED WITH THE MECHANIC TO BE SURE AND AGAIN AND AGAIN HE TOLD ME EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THIS PAST SATURDAY, AUGUST 28 2004, JUST OVER 16,000 MILES, I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND AGAIN COMPLAINED OF THE BRAKE DUST AND SQEAKING SOUND AND NOW GRINDING SOUND I HERE. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT I NEED NEW FRONT BRAKES METAL TO METAL PADS AND THE FRONT ROTORS MUST BE REPLACED!!!! THIS IS CRAZINESS AND I AM OUTRAGED!!!*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 19, 2004
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER TOLD THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 8, 2004
2003 FORD FOCUS - FRONT BRAKES CAUSED OVERHEATING OF ROTORS AND SEVERE WEAR OF PADS - AT 20,000 MILES. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 16, 2004, crash
WHILE COMING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND COMING TO A STOP CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND HEARD A GRINDING SOUND. VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, AND IT SIDE SWIPED A SIGN POST NEAR A SCHOOL ZONE. THE POLICE DID NOT INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT NOR WERE THERE ANY INJURIES. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SOME DENTS , AND THE LOSS OF THE EXTERIOR DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 14, 2004
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED IT MAKES A METAL TO METAL NOISE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS 3 TIMES. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Mar 8, 2004
ON SATURDAY MORNING I BOUGHT THE CAR - A BRAND NEW 2003 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON. ON SUNDAY MORNING, I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE DUE TO THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS OF THE MOMENT. INSTANTLY, THE BACK END OF THE CAR SWERVED TO THE RIGHT IN A JACK-KNIFE MANNER. THE CAR SPUN AROUND AND THREW ITSELF ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE FRONT END WOUND UP POINTED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY THE CAR LANDED IN A SANDY SPOT WITH NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OR TO ME. IT WAS AS IF I HAD HIT BLACK ICE, EXCEPT THAT DRIVING CONDITIONS THAT DAY WERE PERFECT - 50 DEGREES, SUNNY AND DRY WITH GOOD ROAD SURFACE. IN MY OPINION, THIS INCIDENT MAY BE THE RESULT OF POOR DESIGN: THAT IS THE REAR END OF THE FOCUS SE WAGON IS TOO LIGHT TO HOLD THE ROAD WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, OR THE BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING THE CAR TO SPIN. IN ANY EVENT, THIS WAS A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE FOR ME. I THINK THAT THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP FOR ME AND A HAZARD FOR EVERYONE ELSE NEAR IT ON THE ROAD. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 14, 2004
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT ANY SPEED A SQUEAKING SOUND WAS HEARD. DEALER REPLACED FRONT PADS, THEN ON SECOND OCCURRENCE, FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 8, 2003
WHEN BRAKES GET WET, THEY MAKE A WHISTLING SOUND; THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED BEFORE WHEN TURNING; THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN CUT AND THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED; THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 4,000 MILES ON IT. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 28, 2003
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL EXCEEDED TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL. CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD TO PUT VEHICLE INTO THE PARK POSITION TO STOP IT. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 21, 2003
THE BRAKES ARE SQUEEKING AND MAKING THUMPING NOISES AT ONLY 6000 MILES. *LA