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: steering
74 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Dec 21, 2009
2003 FORD FOCUS STEERING WHEEL LOCK. WITH THE KEY INSERTED, THE IGNITION CANNOT BE TURNED ON. BELIEVE TO BE A TUMBLER PROBLEM. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF THESE PROBLEMS IN THE LAST TWO DAYS. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *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
Steering, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 30, 2009
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX5 AND THE REAR HATCH LATCH DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE SO HAVE TO SLAM IT DOWN A FEW TIMES TO GET IT TO LATCH. I NOTICED THE RECALL, BUT I LIVE IN NEBRASKA AND THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY THERE. I BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED. ALSO THE DOOR LATCHES ARE GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO OPEN, IS THERE ANY RECALL ON THEM. ALSO I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN ADJUSTMENT LEVER IT WILL NOT STAY, IT RELEASES AS YOU ARE DRIVING CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN. NOT SAFE. *TR
Steering, Power train, Oct 7, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE STEERING COLUMN ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED SINCE IT CAN BE TURNED 360 DEGREES. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Steering, Sep 20, 2009
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, IGNITION LOCKED AND SHIFT GEAR LOCKED!!!! *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
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
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 8, 2009
THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION AND I WAS STRANDED AT A WALMART PARKING LOT. *TR
Steering, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 6, 2009
I WAS STRANDED MANY MILES FROM A HIGHWAY BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET MY IGNITION KEY TURNED, STEERINGWHEEL TURNED OR AUTOMATIC SHIFTER MOVED. ALL BLOCKED. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO GET A RIDE BACK TO WHERE I COULD USE MY CELLPHONE. A FRIEND CHECKED THE INTERNET ON THE PROBLEM AND HE FOUND THE SUGGESTION TO HIT THE KEY. LATER MANY TAPS THIS ACTUALLY WORKED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 19, 2009
IGNITION KEY MECHANISM WOULD JAM AND NOT TURN -PREVENTING TURNING THE KEY AND LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL. UNABLE TO TOW CAR (LUCKILY ALL 2-3 TIMES THIS HAPPENED I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO DEALER FOR FLATBED TOW). WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY AND THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. LAST OCCURRENCE THAT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND FORD WOULD NOT REIMBURSE EVEN THOUGH OTHER FOCUS OWNER HAD THIS PROBLEM - SOME UP TO 10 OCCURRENCES AND FORD SAID NOT A DEFECT. I ONLY HAD TWO KEYS ON MY KEY RING SO NOT A WEIGHT ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Feb 10, 2009
RACK AND PINION DEVELOPED A LEAK. I BOUGHT MY CAR IN FEB 2004 AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE ON IT. LAST SPRING I NOTICED MY CAR WAS MAKING AN ODD SOUND AND I RAISED THE HOOD AND FOUND THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL VERY LOW AND FILLED IT UP. THE NOISE WENT AWAY. WHILE CHANGING THE BRAKES ON IT MY HUSBAND FOUND THE RACK AND PINION LEAKING FLUID. THE WARRANTY WAS ONLY GOOD UP TO 36,000 MILES AND AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I CURRENTLY HAVE ONLY 39,962 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT VERY LITTLE OBVIOUSLY SINCE IT IS A 2003 AND WHEN WE BOUGHT IT FEB 2004 IT ONLY HAD 19,221 MILES ON IT. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND AS I SAID I HAVE ONLY PUT APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES ON IT IN 5 YEARS. THERE SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE RACK AND PINION ON THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS LITTLE OF MILEAGE ON IT AND NOT DRIVEN THAT OFTEN, BUT THERE IS AND I HAVE NOT TO DATE BEEN ABLE TO GET IT FIXED AS THE TWO ESTIMATES I GOT TO GET IT FIXED IS BETWEEN 550 AND 600 DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED. NO ONE OTHER THAN THE RICH PEOPLE CAN AFFORD A MAJOR REPAIR SUCH AS THIS WHEN IT IS OBVIOUS THAT FORD HAS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE ON THE RACK AND PINION ON THIS MODEL VEHICLE. IT WILL BE A TOTAL PAIN IF THIS GOES OUT BEFORE I CAN AFFORD TO FIX IT SINCE IT IS HAS POWER STEERING AND WILL CONVERT TO MANUAL STEERING IF IT GOES OUT BEFORE I CAN AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED. FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO MAKE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Jan 25, 2009
KEY WILL NOT TURN IN 2003 FORD FOCUS. DEALERSHIP SAYS IT APPEARS TO BE LINKAGE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
Steering, Jan 6, 2009
WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I TRIED EVERY TRICK IN THE BOOK. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN IN THE PAST, AND BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. NOT THIS TIME... *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 28, 2008
THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION BARREL IS COMPLETELY STUCK, IMPEDING ANY USE OF ANY VEHICLE FUNCTIONS. HAS OCCURRED DAILY OR EVERY OTHER DAY FOR A FEW WEEKS. A FEW MINUTES OF JOSTLING MAY ALLOW IT TO WORK. A FEW TIMES IT HAS BEEN STUCK FOR HOURS UNTIL FINALLY WORKING. THIS MAY STRAND SOME TRAVELERS IN WINTER CONDITIONS, LIKE MYSELF. VERY STRESSFUL AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 15, 2008
MY CAR REFUSES TO START. YOU CANNOT TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO GET IT TO COME ON. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I SAW DOZENS OF COMPLAINS FROM PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AND SINCE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY MY DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HELP ME. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE HUNG UP ON ME TWICE. THE ONLY FIX IS TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I MANAGED TO USE A HAMMER TO HAMMER IT IN. *TR
Steering, Dec 8, 2008
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD MY KEY FAIL TO WORK IN A LOCKED IGNITION OF MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE FIRST OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR WA PURCHASED IN 2004 AND NOW IT HAS RECURRED. THE FIRST WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT THIS IS NOT. APPARENTLY FORD IS QUITE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM AS SEVERAL FOCUS OWNERS HAVE FIXED THIS COMPLIANT ON LINE. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? WHY SHOULD FORD GET A BAIL OUT WHEN THEY LEAVE THEIR CONSUMERS WITHOUT ASSISTANCE FOR REPAIRING A PROBLEM OF THEIR MAKING? *TR
Steering, Oct 20, 2008
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND WAS STRANDED AND HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I COULDN'T GET THE KEY TO TURN OVER. THE CARE REPAIR COST WAS $551 AND THE IGNITION AND STARTER CYLINDER INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING FLAW AND FORD MOTOR CO. SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AS A RECALL PROBLEM. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MANY 2000-2003 FORD FOCUS MODELS HAVE THIS FLAW. *TR
Steering, Oct 18, 2008
STEERING COLUMN LOCK GETS STUCK. VEHICLE CANNOT BE STARTED. *TR
Steering, Aug 16, 2008
THE WHEEL/IGNITION LOCKED AS TURNED THE WHEEL TO PARK ON A HILL. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED ON THIS CAR AND COULD NOT UNLOCK IT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WOULD $340 THAT THE WHOLE CYLINDER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Steering, Jul 20, 2008
RATTLE ANF THUMBING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER FRONT OF VEHICLE WHEN GOING OVER EVERY BUMP. REPORTED TO FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON THREE OCCASIONS. (10/11/06, 04/05/07 AND 06/26/08 ) ON 06/26/2008, FORD CHARGED ME $288.56 TO INSTALL A FRONT END STABILIZER KIT. OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Jul 1, 2008
I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK 2.3L. AFTER THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND STEERING WHEEL LOCK COMPLETELY. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE, MY CAR KEY WILL NOT TURN AND THE WHEEL REMAINS LOCKED, IN TURN THE VEHICLE BECOMES COMPLETELY UNUSABLE. I CALL TO FORD ROAD SIDE ASSISTANT PROMPTED ME TO QUICKLY MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS. I HAD BEEN ABLE TO TURN ON THE CAR UP TO 5 TIMES USING THIS SYSTEM ALTHOUGH ONCE AT THE MECHANIC THE CAR WILL NO LONGER TURN ON, THE MECHANIC MUST NOW DRILL A HOLE INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. THIS STARTED ON MY VEHICLE ON SUNDAY JUNE 29TH. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AS A CAR THAT DOES NOT ALLOW THE MOTORIST TO TURN ON THE IGNITION CAN LEAD TO POSSIBLE CRASHES IF THE CAR BECOMES STALLED IN A HIGHWAY ETC. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 2, 2008
KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER SOME REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO START, EVENTUALLY THE KEY WOULD WORK. THIS TIME, IT HAS REFUSED TO BUDGE. SEEMS TO BE CONNECTED TO THE STEERING WHEEL BEING TURNED BUT THAT LOCKS UP TOO, SO IT CAN'T RESOLVE ITSELF. RESEARCH ON INTERNET SUCH AS CONSUMER'S REPORT SHOWS THIS TO BE A FREQUENT COMPLAINT WITH THIS MODEL. DEFECTIVE IGNITION! THE OTHER DAY IT LEFT ME STRANDED WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN. I WOULD CLASSIFY THAT AS A SAFETY CONCERN! *TR
Steering, Feb 11, 2008
MY CARS IGNITION DOESN'T WORK. IT WILL LOCK ME OUT OF MY OWN CAR. I HAVE TO BANG MY KEY AS HARD AS I CAN TO GET THE IGNITION TO UNLOCK. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 15, 2008
I AM WRITING BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR MY CAR DUE TO MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. MY WIFE WAS SHOPPING AND WHEN SHE WENT TO START THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. WE ENDED UP HAVING TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO OUR HOME. WE WENT ONLINE AND RESEARCHED AND SAW THAT MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR AND YEAR THAT WE HAVE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. OUR CAR IS A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND ITS AN IGNITION LOCK PROBLEM. THE AVERAGE REPAIR IS BETWEEN $300 - $500. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS MY WIFE WAS STRANDED WITH OUR 7 WEEK OLD AND 4 YEAR OLD IN VERY COLD WEATHER WITH NO WAY TO START THE CAR FOR ANY HEAT. ITS DANGEROUS AND THE COMPLAINTS ARE MANY. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GOOGLE IT AND YOU CAN SEE. I CONTACTED FORD TO SEE IF THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE AND THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO GET BACK TO ME BY TOMORROW AT 2 TO LET ME KNOW. I BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD AS AGAIN THEY KNOW THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE YET TO EVER ISSUE A RECALL FOR IT. THANK YOU. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 4, 2008
MY MOTHER PURCHASED A NEW 2003 FORD FOCUS FROM LOFINK'S FORD IN CARTHAGE, NY LATE IN 2003 SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE FIRST THREE YEARS SHE HAD THE CAR, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH/STEERING COLUMN. SHE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE. SHE REPEATEDLY TRIED THE KEY/STEERING WHEEL AND WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. WHEN SHE REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD, SHE WAS TOLD THAT SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENED, THAT SHE SHOULD JUST JIGGLE THE KEY/ETC. SHE RELOCATED TO BELTON, TX IN JUN 07 TO BE NEAR ME, HER DAUGHTER. ON 30 SEP 07 THE CAR HAD THE SAME ISSUE, EXCEPT THAT NO AMOUNT OF JIGGLING THE KEY/STEERING COLUMN WOULD ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO JOHNSON BROTHERS FORD IN TEMPLE, TX. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSTICS READ AS FOLLOWS: IGNITION SYSTEM DIAG FOUND IGNITION SWITCH BINDING REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH, RETEST SYTEM OK. THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN HAD TO DRILL OUT IGN LOCK CYLINDER TO REMOVE. THIS COST: $474.67 WHICH WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE THE CAR HAD 16,505 MILES ON IT AT THAT TIME AND WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I PURSUED THIS ISSUE WITH THE REPAIRING DEALERSHIP, THE SELLING DEALERSHIP, AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY (IN WRITING) TO NO AVAIL, REQUESTING A GOOD FAITH REIMBURSMENT. TODAY THE SWITCH FAILED AGAIN AND THE CAR IS NOW BEING TOWED FOR REPAIR.*CN