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.
Power train, Sep 9, 2008
I PURCHASED MY CAR A YEAR AGO. IT HAS 26,452 MILES ON IT. I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN AND THE LIGHT WAS OUT. I CONTINUED ON. A DAY LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE AND THEY PULLED THE CODES THAT SAID THE GEAR RATIO WAS INCORRECT IN 2ND AND 3RD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED....AFTER 26,000 MILES??? MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED ABOUT A MONTH PRIOR. I CALLED FORD. THEY REFUSED TO HELP ME IN ANY WAY AND EVEN WENT SO FAR AS TO SAY MY DRIVING HAD CAUSED THE FAILURE. THEY ALSO FLAT OUT LIED AND TOLD ME THE WARRANTY WAS FOR ONLY 3/36,000 WHEN I HAVE A NEWS RELEASE FROM FORD STATING IT IS FOR 5/100,000. I DID GET THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT THE COST OF $3600. FORD STILL REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY OBVIOUSLY MADE A MALFUNCTIONING TRANSMISSION. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 6, 2008
MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER DRIVES A FORD FOCUS ZX3 2003. AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR ONLY A FEW MONTHS, THE IGNITION LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT TURN. AS A RESULT, SHE WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT ALONE FEELING VERY UNSAFE. THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES TO MY HUSBANDS F250 IGNITION. THE IGNITIONS HAD TO BE REPLACED BY A LOCKSMITH EACH TIME. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THESE IGNITIONS TO FAIL. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 29, 2008
IGNITION IS STUCK AND WONT TURN. LEFT MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WITH NO WAY OF GETTING HOME. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 27, 2008
I DO NOT KNOW FOR SURE WHAT CAUSED IT, BUT MY IGNITION ON MY 03 FORD FOCUS LX LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT TURN OVER. YOU COULD LEAVE THE KEY IN AND IT WOULD ALWAYS START. BUT IF YOU TOOK THE KEY OUT IT WOULD LOCK UP AND REFUSE TO TURN. I HAVE NOT HAD IT FIXED YET AND I THINK IT IS NOT FAIR THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO FIX IT WHEN 9 OUT OF 10 FORD FOCUS DO THIS. I AM TAKING IT TO A LOCK SMITH TO HAVE IT FIXED NEXT WEEK AND I WILL BE SELLING IT AND I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Aug 26, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START IN THE MORNINGS AND IT WOULD IDLE EXTREMELY ROUGHLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND REMEDY THE ISSUE. IN ADDITION, THE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT BLOW COLD AIR. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF DETERMINING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Electrical system, Aug 23, 2008
KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Aug 22, 2008
AFTER PLACING THE DOWN PAYMENT OF $1500 AND COMPLETING THE PAPERWORK. NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER THE CAR BEGAN TO STALL ON THE FREEWAY AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND I DROVE IT TO FREEWAY FORD HERE IN HOUSTON, TX. EACH TIME THEY COULDN'T FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I HADN'T ENJOYED THE CAR OVER A MONTH BECAUSE THE CAR WAS GIVEN ME PROBLEMS WHEN I HAD IT AND IT STAYED AT THE DEALERSHIP. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND THE DEALERSHIP ASSISTANT MANAGER AND NEITHER HAD AN ANSWER. *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
Visibility, Aug 8, 2008
BACK IN JULY (ISH) OF 07, MY 4 DOOR FORD FOCUS ZX5 PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR WINDOW FELL IN THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING. ON AUG 8, 2008 MY DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW FELL IN THE DOOR AS WELL. I HAD MY 2 GIRLS IN THE BACK SEAT THIS TIME. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TOP PULLEY HAD BROKEN OUT OF THE DOOR CAUSING THE WINDOW TO FALL. I NOW HAVE 2 NON FUNCTIONING WINDOWS WITH THE SAME THING WRONG WITH THEM WITHIN ALMOST A YEAR FROM EACH OTHER. JUST WAITING FOR THE FRONT WINDOWS TO DO THE SAME WHILE I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 4, 2008
THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 31, 2008
COMMENTS: THE IGNITION OF MY FORD FOCUS 2003 LOCKED @ 40,000 MILES. KEY SUDDENLY WOULDN'T TURN. UNABLE TO START ENGINE. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO FORD DEALER BY AAA TOW. AA DRIVER SAID HE HAS HAD MANY SUCH CASES. HAD TO GET IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED @ DEALER FOR EXORBITANT $570.($347 LABOR) THERE ARE THUNDREDS OF THESE CASES BUT FORD WILL NOT ADDRESS PROBLEM. I HEARD THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. WOULD LIKE TO GET MORE INFO ON HOW TO JOIN IN LAWSUIT OR OTHER MEANS TO GET FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL AND/OR PAY FOR THIS PART FAILURE. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 31, 2008
BEING STRANDED WITHOUT MY CAR STARTING IS MY ISSUE. HAVE 2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO TURN CAR ON-- STRANDED 5 TIMES-- ONE TIME I WAS 45 MILES FROM HOME-- HAD IT TOWED AND REPAIRED COST $90 NOW IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND HAD TO GET A RIDE HOME FROM WORK HATE TO SEE WHAT THIS BILL WILL BE IF FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH 2000 THROUGH 2003 VEHICLES WHY ARE THEY NOT DOING ANYTHING TO HELP THE CONSUMER OUT BY RECALLING THEM . *TR
Structure, Jul 28, 2008
WATER LEAKS IN TO MY 2003 FORD FOCUS FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND LITERALLY FOUND 100'S OF COMPLAINTS. IT SEEMS IT IS RELATED TO THE CABIN AIR FILTER HOUSING. IT ACTS LIKE A FUNNEL THAT DIRECTS RAIN THAT ESCAPES THE COWL SEAL INTO THE CABIN. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL ON THIS? *TR
Air bags, Jul 22, 2008, crash
UNTIL A WEEK AGO, I WAS THE HAPPY OWNER OF AN '03 ZX3 FOCUS. ON 7/15, I HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID A CAR DRIFTING INTO MY LANE AND HIT THE CONCRETE RETAINING WALL AT ABOUT 60 MPH. THE SHOCK WAS ENOUGH TO CRUSH MOST OF THE FRONT AND ENGINE BLOCK AND BREAK THE AXLE. YET THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHAME ON YOU FORD. *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
Electrical system, Jul 19, 2008
I GOT INTO MY CAR LAST NIGHT AND COULD NOT START IT, I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON SE, THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION, I AM STRANDED AND CANT GET TO THE DRUG STORE TO GET MY SONS MEDICATION. I CANT GET TO THE GROCERY STORE AND AM AFRAID I WONT BE ABLE TO GET TO WORK ON MONDAY. *TR
Suspension, Jul 15, 2008
FAILURE OF FRONT RIGHT-SIDE OEM COIL SPRING DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION UNDER RUBBER SLEEVE ON COIL SPRING. COIL SPRING WAS REPLACED. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 14, 2008
THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT" WAS ON OFF AND ON FOR A ABOUT A WEEK PRIOR. THEN I PARKED MY CAR ONE EVENING AND THE FOLLOWING MORNING I COULD NOT TURN MY KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT WAS LOCKED, AND THEREFORE ALSO I COULD NOT CHANGE GEARS TO NEUTRAL OR GET IT OUT OF PARK. I FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM AT A WEBSITE HERE IS THE URL: HTTP://WWW.FORDPROBLEMS.COM/FOCUS/KEY-WONT-TURN-IN-THE-IGNITION.SHTML HOPE THIS HELPS TO MAKE THIS A SAFETY ISSUE WORTHY OF RECALL. I'M BLESSED THIS HAPPENED TO ME AT MY APARTMENT, BUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WERE I TO GET STUCK ELSEWHERE. I PLAN TO CALL A LOCKSMITH TONIGHT TO TRY AND FIX MY PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 11, 2008
I LEFT MY CAR FOR 5 MINS TO GRAB SOMETHING IN MY HOME AND WHEN I RETURNED TO START MY CAR THE IGNITION WOULDN'T EVEN BUDGE, NOW I AM GOING TO HAVE TO GET THE IGNITION REPLACED. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 11, 2008
I WAS GETTING INTO MY CAR AND SUDDENLY THE KEY WOULD GO INTO THE IGNITION BUT WOULD NOT TURN. I CALLED A LOCKSMITH AND I SOON AS THEY HEARD THAT IT WAS A FORD FOCUS THEY DIDN'T WANT TO SO ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY STATED THAT THIS IS A DEALERSHIP PROBLEM AND THEY HAD TO HELP ME. THEY STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS VERY COMMON WITH MY TYPE OF VEHICLE AND THAT I SHOULD CHECK TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR IT SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THE PERSON ON THE PHONE STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO CHECK THE VEHICLE AND JUST TO LOOK AT IT THEY WOULD CHARGE ME A FEE OF $87.00 TO TELL ME THAT THE KEY DOESN'T TURN. AFTER THAT THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD GIVE ME AN ESTIMATE AS TO HOW MUCH I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AS I FEEL THAT IT IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS THAT THEY WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY PARTS. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. AFTER LEAVING THE GROCERY STORE, THE CONTACT PLACED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION BUT COULD NOT TURN THE KEY. SHE ATTEMPTED TO WIGGLE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER,THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START EVEN AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT'S FRIEND OWNS A FORD FOCUS AND INSTRUCTED HER TO TAP ON THE KEY WHILE IT IS IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT HEEDED THIS ADVICE AND, AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS, SHE WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER, WHERE IT IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000. UPDATED 10/07/08. *LJ
Electrical system, Jul 5, 2008
I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZX5 AND I HAVE HAD REPEATED KEY IGNITION PROBLEMS. MY KEY TENDS TO NOT WORK IN THE IGNITION AND HAS FORCED ME INTO TOUGH SITUATIONS. THE MOST RECENT WAS BEING STRANDED ON THE 4TH OF JULY IN A CITY I AM NOT FROM IN A BAD PART OF TOWN AFTER A FIRE WORKS SHOW. I ALSO HAVE HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME MATTER AND WHEN I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT IT THEY COULD OFFER NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN A STEEP PRICE TO FIX A PROBLEM THEY CAUSED WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE ROBBERY AND UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE RESEARCHED CONSUMER COMPLAINT SITES AND NOTICED THAT THIS HAS NOT ONLY HAPPENED TO ME AND THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD IN CALIFORNIA FOR SUCH A PROBLEM. I HAVE NOW LOST MY JOB BECAUSE OF NO TRANSPORTATION TO WORK DUE TO FORDS MISHAP. *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
Suspension, Jul 1, 2008
DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AT 45 MPH I HEARD A POP FOLLOWED BY A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO FIND MY CAR LEANING NOTICEABLY TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. CAR WAS TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS AS WELL AS THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE NEEDED REPLACED DUE TO COIL SPRING CORROSION AND RESULTING FAILURE OF THE FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING. *TR
Structure, Jun 20, 2008
I TOOK MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WAGON INTO THE SHOP BECAUSE OF LOUD NOISES I WAS HEARING FROM UNDER THE CAR WHILE DRIVING CAR. WHEN THEY GOT IT UP ON THE LIFT THEY HAD ME COME TO REPAIR BAY TO LOOK AT IT BECAUSE THEY'D NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. WHAT THEY'D FOUND WAS THAT THE CRADLE OR SUBFRAME PIECE THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE IN WAS COMPLETED ROTTED OUT. IT WAS SO BAD YOU COULD STICK YOUR FINGER THROUGH IT. THEY SAID THIS IS SOMETHING YOU'D EXPECT TO FIND ON A 1980S CAR PERHAPS, BUT CERTAINLY NOT ONE THAT WAS ONLY FIVE YEARS OLD. I ASKED THEM IF THEY COULD FIX IT AND THEY SAID THEY COULD, BUT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT INSTEAD TO THE FORD DEALER, WHICH I DID. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE FORD DEALER WAS EQUALLY SURPRISED BY THE CONDITION OF THE FRAME AND SAID HE'D TALK TO THE WARRANTY ABOUT IT, BUT THEY SAID A 2003 MODEL WAS NOT COVERED FOR RUST DAMAGE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT. SO THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED INSTEAD THAT I CONTACT FORD CUSTOMERS RELATIONS ABOUT IT BECAUSE 1) IT WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT MAY WARRANT A RECALL AND 2) AS A RESULT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. I TALKED WITH THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS PEOPLE BUT THEY TOOK THE POSITION THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR A RUST CONDITION AND BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL IN PLACE FOR SUCH A CONDITION THEY COULDN'T OR WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SO I DECIDED TO BRING IT TO YOU. *TR