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.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 2, 2008
NO EVENTS LED TO THIS IGNITION WILL NOT TURN - HAPPENS EACH TIME I ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR - AT TIMES IT WILL TURN WITH ENOUGH JIGGLING - HAS LEFT ME STRANDED WITH NO RIDE TAKING IT TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT, BUT THIS IS A KNOWN FORD FOCUS PROBLEM. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 24, 2008
THE LOCK CYLINDER FROZE IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS TWO MONTHS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE REPAIRS TOTALED $343. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 23, 2008
THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS SE IS STUCK. THE VEHICLE IS NOW RENDERED UNUSABLE SINCE IT CANNOT BE STARTED. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY RELATED ITEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NOW STRANDED AND WILL REQUIRE THE SERVICES OF A LOCKSMITH OR HAVE TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED. I HAVE READ ONLINE WHERE THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS MANUFACTURED IN 2000 THROUGH 2003. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 22, 2008
APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO I BEGAN TO NOTICE A DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE KEY WHEN PLACED IN THE IGNITION. THE PROBLEM BEGAN SMALL, A LITTLE JIGGLE OF THE KEY AND THE IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD TURN AND THE CAR WOULD START. THE PROBLEM GREW TO THE POINT IN WHICH I WOULD HAVE TO FORCIBLY KNOCK THE KEY IN WITH THE PALM OF MY HAND OTHERWISE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. I TRIED ALL KINDS OF WAYS TO GET THE CAR TO START, BUT HITTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION CYLINDER SEEMED TO BE THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE IT WORK. FINALLY APPROXIMATELY 3 DAYS AGO I WAS LEAVING WORK, PLACED THE KEY IN THE CAR, WHICH NOT TO MY AMAZEMENT DID NOT TURN IN THE CYLINDER. SO AS I HAD GROWN ACCUSTOM TO I GAVE THE KEY A SMACK, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN. I SAT IN MY CAR FOR CLOSE TO AN HOUR TRYING TO GIGGLE, SHACK, SMACK, JIMMY, AND PLAY WITH THE KEY ANY WAY I COULD THINK OF BUT I COULD NOT GET MY CAR TO START. NOW WHEN YOU WORK MIDNIGHTS AND YOU GET OFF WORK WHEN EVERYONE ELSE IS GOING TO WORK, FINDING A RIDE IS NOT THE EASIEST OF THINGS. AFTER SOME EXTENSIVE RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS IS A HIGHLY COMMON PROBLEM IN FORD FOCUS'. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 13, 2008
I GOT INTO MY 2003 FORD FOCUS LAST SUNDAY AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. IT HAD BEEN ACTING UP IN RECENT DAYS BUT ON THIS DAY NOTHING WOULD WORK. THEREFORE MY CAR WAS RENDERED USELESS. LONG STORY SHORT...TOWED IT TO THE DEALER THEY TOOK THE LOCK TUMBLER CYLINDER OUT AND SURE ENOUGH--DEFECTIVE MECHANISM. FORD REFUSES TO COVER IT IN A WARRANTY OR EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN AND NOW I AM OUT OF POCKET $400 PLUS THE TOW TO EVEN GET MY CAR TO TURN ON. DID SOME "INTERNET RESEARCH" AND WE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE. *TR
Wheels, Nov 11, 2008
MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTW HAS LUG NUT CAPS THAT DO NOT STAY ON. EVERY YEAR I LOSE SEVERAL CAPS AS THE TEMPERATURE CHANGES CAUSING THE METAL TO EXPAND MAKING THE CAPS LOSE. RECENTLY A CAP FLEW OFF AS MY I WAS DRIVING AND HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW LUCKILY NOT BREAKING IT. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 10, 2008
THE IGNITION WOULDN'T TURN WITH THE KEY. VERY OFTEN IT WOULD TURN WITH DIFFICULTY AFTER SOME WIGGLING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER A WHILE IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE ONCE THE KEY WAS REMOVED. EVENTUALLY WE GOT THE KEY TO WORK AND NOW WE LEAVE THE KEY IN AND LOCK THE DOORS WITH THE REMOTE. IT USED TO HAPPEN AS MY WIFE WOULD LEAVE WORK IN THE DARK WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS IN SOME AREAS. I HAD TO GET AN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR IT MYSELF. I AM A FULLY QUALIFIED MECHANIC THOUGH. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 10, 2008
I PLACED MY KEY IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2003 FORD FOCUS AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR FOCUS OWNERS, EVEN AFTER THEY HAVE HAD THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED. NOT ONLY IS THIS A HUGE FINANCIAL BURDEN, IT IS ALSO A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. LIVING IN CHICAGO, IF I BECOME STRANDED AND UNABLE TO START MY CAR, I COULD BE IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION (AS COULD MANY OTHER OWNERS IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS). *TR
Equipment, Nov 9, 2008
OWNER OF A 2003 FORD FOCUS SVT. I WENT TO THE MOVIES LAST NIGHT AND WHEN I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN. I SINCE HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED AND THE IGNITION FIXED. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 3, 2008
FORD FOCUS 2003 - IGNITION FAILURE, KEY WILL NOT TURN MY KEY WILL NOT TURN IN MY IGNITION. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF US (FORD CUSTOMERS) WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS NOT A "SAFETY" PRECAUTION. PLEASE RECALL. AMERICANS ARE NOT ENCOURAGED TO BUY AMERICAN-MADE CARS; SADLY BUT TRUE. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 28, 2008
MY KEY WILL NOT TURN. THERE FOR I CAN'T START MY CAR. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND I HAVE BEEN STUCK PLACES NUMEROUS TIMES. I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY. AT ANY TIME I COULD BE STUCK ANYWHERE! THE ONLY THING I CAN DO IS CARRY A HAMMER WITH ME, SO THAT I CAN TAP THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND GET THE KEY TO TURN SO I CAN START MY CAR. I FEEL IT IS NOT SAFE TO CARRY A HAMMER AROUND BUT HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE TO START MY CAR. *TR
Structure, Oct 21, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE REAR DOORS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO BE REPAIRED, BUT AFTERWARDS, THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE HANDLES ON THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE CONTACT CAN OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, BUT NOT FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DOORS SEEM TO BE SEALED EXTREMELY TIGHTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE DOORS PROPERLY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 118,507.
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
Electrical system, Oct 15, 2008
HAD TO HAVE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER REPLACED ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS; CAR WOULDN'T START (I.E., KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION) WITH EITHER ONE OF THE TWO KEYS I HAVE (BOTH ORIGINAL KEYS). *TR
Electrical system, Oct 11, 2008
SECOND TIME HAVING PROBLEM WITH IGNITION ON 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE KEY WON'T TURN AND HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY AND MISSED DAYS OF WORK TO GET THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION SWITCH. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FORD NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND RECALL. THOUSANDS OF FORD FOCUS OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. NOT ONLY IS IT COSTLY AND IS A REPAIR THAT IS FORDS' RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX DUE TO FAULTY IGNITIONS BUT ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 10, 2008
FORD FOCUS KEY WILL NOT TURN IN. I DRIVE A FORD FOCUS ZX5 2003. THE IGNITION LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT TURN. AS A RESULT,I WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT IT HAS HAPPENED FEW TIMES. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AT NO AVAIL. THEY DID NOT RECOGNIZE TO BE AN ISSUE EVEN THOUGH IT #1 ISSUE AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINT ABOUT IT. THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THESE IGNITIONS TO FAIL. I CONSIDER TO BE A SAFE ISSUE. THERE IS NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SO I HAVE TO RELY ON MY VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTATION REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 8, 2008
IGNITION LOCKED LEAVING ME STRANDED. FINALLY GOT THE CAR STARTED ONLY TO FIND IT LOCKED UP AGAIN THE NEXT TIME I TRIED TO START IT. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 8, 2008
ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE KEY / IGNITION SWITCH HAS STUCK AND NOT ALLOWED ME TO START MY CAN. THIS PROBLEM HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 2 TIMES WHERE I WAS UNABLE TO RECEIVE HELP FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS. I CONTACTED A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THERE WAS NO SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS AND IT WOULD COST $400 TO $600 TO REPAIR IT. I DID FIND A LOCKSMITH TO REPAIR IT FOR $250.00 AND WAS TOLD BY THE TECH THAT HE REPAIRS THIS PROBLEM ON THE FORD FOCUS 2 TO 3 TIMES A WEEK. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 2, 2008
THE KEY IN MY FOCUS WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS CAUSED ME TO BE STRANDED SINCE I COULD NOT START MY CAR. I RECENTLY LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. IN FACT, A MAN IN THE SERVICE DEPT AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THIS PROBLEM "HAPPENS WAY MORE THAN IT SHOULD." I LIVE IN A CITY WITH HIGH CRIME. BEING STRANDED IS A VERY SCARY SITUATION. SINCE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY TYPE OF CAR, THE MANUFACTURER CERTAINLY SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THIS PART TO PREVENT PEOPLE LIKE ME FROM BEING LEFT IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 27, 2008
IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS BACK IN JULY 2008. IF I PLAYED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL IT WOULD FINALLY TURN THE KEY. THE IGNITION HAD TO BE REPLACED. FORD HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS SINCE 2001. *TR
Power train, Sep 18, 2008
THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING,HARD SHIFTING, AND NOT GOING INTO 4TH. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 70 THOUSAND MILES. TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A SOLENOID. ALSO WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN MY TYPE OF VEHICLE. IT MAY OR MAY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY. WHEN I QUESTIONED WHY HE SAID THAT MANY OF THE FOCUS TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SOLENOID PROBLEMS UNTIL THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WENT ONLINE AND DID SOME SEARCHING AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE OF MY CAR. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD THEY SAID THAT THEY DID NOT SEE THESE PROBLEMS VERY OFTEN. WHEN I APPROACHED THEM WITH THE DISCUSSION BOARDS THAT I HAD READ AND THE COMMENTS FROM MY TRUSTED MECHANIC THEY HAD NO COMMENT. MY CAR DOES WORK NOW AFTER THE SOLENOID WAS REPLACED, BUT IT STILL SLIPS AND SHIFTS HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD WILL NOT ADMIT TO A PROBLEM WITH THE MECHANICS OF THIS TRANSMISSION. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 18, 2008
IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER ON FORD FOCUS IS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANISM LOCKS AND IS UNABLE TO TURN. THIS YIELDS THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE, POSING A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK IF THE OWNER NEEDS TO USE THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY OR THE VEHICLE STALLS ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS AN ISSUE KNOWN BY FORD, AS EVIDENCED BY THE MECHANICS AT LANDMARK FORD, TIGARD, OREGON STATING THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND FORD HAS QUIETLY UPDATED THE CYLINDER. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE NUMEROUS INTERNET FORUMS WITH THIS SAME COMPLAINT. ALL OWNERS OF FOCUS VEHICLES WILL HAVE THIS FAILURE, IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME. THE REPAIR IS $300+. A RECALL SHOULD BE REQUIRED OF FORD TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Visibility, Seat belts, Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment, Sep 15, 2008
I HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, THE WATER PUMP, THE THERMOSTAT, AND ALL RADIATOR HOSES. THE CAR OVERHEATS DAILY STILL. THE STEREO CUTS ON AND OFF AND CAN'T BE TURNED OFF BY THE POWER BUTTON. THE REAR LEFT SEATBELT IS STUCK WHERE IT CAN'T BE USED. THE DRIVER WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR, WHEN THE PANEL WAS REMOVED IT SHOWED THAT THE WHOLE WIRE SYSTEM HAD SNAPPED. THE DRIVER DOOR ALSO CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 9, 2008
I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS AND HAD TO SPEND $360 TO HAVE MY IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED AS MY STEERING WHEEL HAD LOCKED AND THE KEY UNABLE TO TURN AND START THE CAR WHEN THE CAR HAD JUST WORKED FINE THE PREVIOUS DAY. LUCKILY, IT WAS STILL WARM OUTSIDE AND I WAS NOT STRANDED IN A REMOTE PLACE IN A STORM OR IN WINTER WHERE HARM COULD BEFALL SOMEONE. I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG OR WHAT I NEEDED TO DO, BUT I COULDN'T UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. I EVEN CALLED THE FORD COMPANY WHO STATED THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING THEY COULD DO EXCEPT THAT IT SHOULD BE TAKEN TO A DEALER. I CALLED A FORD DEALERSHIP WHOSE SERVICE DIRECTOR DID NOT SEEM SURPRISED BY WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY STEERING WHEEL, EVEN SAYING THAT PROBABLY THE IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE PART WOULD USUALLY COST $350-400 TO REPAIR. HE SAID THAT HE HAD REPLACED QUITE A FEW FOR THE FOCUS. THEN I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM, OVER AND OVER AGAIN, SOME HAVING REPLACED THIS ONE PART 4-5 TIMES. FOR SOME REASON THIS PART HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SERIOUS ENGINEERING FLAW WITH POSSIBLE SERIOUS RAMIFICATIONS IN STRANDING PEOPLE UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE AND SO I AM TURNING TO YOU TO MAKE THE FORD COMPANY OWN UP TO THEIR DESIGN FLAW CONCERNING ITS CAR, THE FORD FOCUS CONCERNING ITS IGNITION CYLINDER. WHEN THE LOCKSMITH CAME AND REPLACED THE CYLINDER HE DEMONSTRATED WHY THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE. IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TUMBLER MECHANISM IN THE CYLINDER. *TR