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
1,017 reports, newest first.
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
Seats, Oct 26, 2009, fire
THE DRIVER'S SEAT 2003 FORD FOCUS WAGON ZTW (PURCHASED NEW IN 7/2003, CURRENTLY 55K MILES) SEEMS TO HAVE HAD A SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTION AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT COVER, AND THE CLOTHES OF THE DRIVER AT THE TIME. THE SEAT HEATER BUTTON WOULD NOT TURN THE HEATER OFF. THE FUSE HAD TO PULLED TO GET IT TO TURN OFF. THERE WAS NEVER A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT HEATER BEFORE THIS EVENT. THE DEALER (QUIRK FORD IN QUINCY MA) SAYS IT'S ONLY AN OUT-OF-WARRANTY REPAIR AND WANTS TO CHARGE $600 TO FIX IT. I THINK THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT FIRE AND PERSONAL INJURY. *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
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.
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
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
Steering, Sep 20, 2009
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, IGNITION LOCKED AND SHIFT GEAR LOCKED!!!! *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
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 8, 2009
I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX5 HATCHBACK. IT ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT, BUT WE HAVE HAD A HUGE PROBLEM THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR. THE IGNITION LOCKS UP FREQUENTLY, AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. THIS PROBLEM HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ON MANY AN OCCASION. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME 5 TIMES. EACH OF THOSE TIMES, I HAVE MANAGED TO GET IT WORKING AGAIN BY VIOLENTLY JAMMING THE KEY AND JIGGLING IT IN THE IGNITION, OR WAITING A WHILE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO INSERT THE KEY AGAIN. TODAY, HOWEVER, NONE OF THESE METHODS WORKED, AND THE IGNITION SEEMS TO BE PERMANENTLY STUCK. AFTER CAREFUL RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS 2001-2003. IT HAS LEFT MANY DRIVERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY STRANDED IN INOPPORTUNE TIMES AND LOCATIONS, AS WELL AS COST THEM HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS EACH TIME THAT THE WHEEL LOCKS UP. THE SHEER VOLUME OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM INDICATES THAT THIS PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON. IT SEEMS THAT THE PROBLEM ARISES FROM SUBSTANDARD ENGINEERING ON FORD'S PART. PLEASE LOOK INTO FORCING A RECALL. *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.
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 19, 2009
2003 FORD FOCUS DOOR LATCHES BROKEN. DOORS FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY AND LOCAL STREETS. SOMEONE COULD HAVE FALLEN OUT OR ANOTHER CAR COULD HAVE HIT THE DOOR WHEN IT FLEW OPEN AND HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS CRASH. FORD HAD A RECALL ON THE 4 AND 5 DOOR FOCUS BUT NOT ON A 3 DOOR WHICH IS MINE. ONE DOOR HAS BEEN FIXED $293 AT A DEALER AND THE OTHER DOOR NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I FEEL FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE ME AND FIX THE OTHER DOOR FREE OF CHARGE. THIS CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND FORD KNOWS THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THESE DOOR LATCHES. IF SOMEONE GETS KILLED FORD WILL PROBABLY HAVE A LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM. *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