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, Feb 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY DID NOT START THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER CONTACTED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO GENTLY TAPPED THE KEY SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL IT TURNED. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND PARKED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLATCH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Air bags, Dec 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 01/26/2017*CT UPDATED 7/13/18*JB *TR
Steering, Suspension, Electrical system, Structure, Service brakes, Nov 4, 2016
THE SUB FRAME BROKE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. ENTIRE SUB FRAME HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. STRUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. CALIPER AND ROTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONTROL ARM HAD TO BE REPLACED. JUST REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TUMBLERS AFTER THE SWITCH LOCKED UP AND REFUSED TO WORK. THERE ARE NO RECALLS LISTED FOR THIS CAR. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT FOCUS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THESE PROBLEMS. CAR HAS 34,000 MILES ON IT. THE BRAKE LINE RUNNING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO THE REAR RUSTED OUT CAUSING A LOSE OF BRAKES. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS. *TR
Other or unspecified, Sep 22, 2016
THE NEEDLES ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAVE STOPPED WORKING 80% OF THE TIME. THEY WILL ALSO JUMP AROUND, ALONG WITH THE MILEAGE SCREEN FLICKER TO "8888888" OR "--------" WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS OFF. BATTERY AND CONNECTIONS ARE ALL FINE AND THE ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED.
Service brakes, Sep 2, 2016
EMERGENCY BRAKE LOCKS UP. CAR HAS TO EITHER BE FORCED TO MOVE BY EITHER GUNNING THE ENGINE, OR ROCKED BY A PERSON UNTIL IT RELEASES. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED DUE TO BRAKE LOCK UP AFTER MECHANIC COULD NOT RELEASE IT AT MY HOME. NEW BRAKE WAS INSTALLED. CONTINUES TO LOCK UP. CAR HAD BEEN IN PARK FOR ALL INCIDENTS. THIS VEHICLE HAS A STANDARD TRANSMISSION, WHICH FOR SAFETY REQUIRES THE USE OF AN E-BRAKE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE OFTEN IN LAST 5-7 YEARS. I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WOULD RESOLVE AFTER NEW E-BRAKE WAS INSTALLED.... IT HASN'T.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 17, 2016
CAR STARTS BUT WHEN PUT IN GEAR, STALLS OUT. ENGINE WILL RUN WITH FOOT ON GAS PEDAL BUT STALLS OUR WHEN PLACED IN GEAR. **HAPPENS ONLY IN VERY HOT WEATHER TEMPERATURES. SEARCH WEB FOR FORD FOCUS STALLING OUT IN HOT WEATHER. HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS ARE REPORTING THIS PROBLEM BUT NO SOLUTIONS FROM ANYONE INCLUDING FORD. VERY DANGEROUS TO HAVE CAR QUIT RUNNING AT STOP SIGNS, INTERSECTIONS ETC. NO ANSWER FROM FORD IN SPITE OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB. MUST USE TWO FEET WITH ONE ON GAS PEDAL AND ONE ON THE BRAKE. FORD HAS NO BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM THAT EFFECTS SO MANY FORD FOCUS OWNERS.
Electrical system, Jun 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOORS FAILED TO LATCH. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE A BUNGEE CORD TO KEEP THE DOORS CLOSED; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD OPEN EVERY TIME A TURN WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. ..*BF *TT
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Jun 2, 2016
MY CAR LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER, BUT WAS STILL RUNNING THEN FINALLY IT DIED. I LOST ALL LIGHTS AND ELECTRIC BATTERY WAS DEAD SO I BOUGHT NEW BATTERY THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN, SO I BOUGHT NEW ALTERNATOR BECAUSE OLD ALTERNATOR WAS BAD, THEN NEW ALTERNATOR DIED WITHIN A MONTH. SAME PROBLEM, THEN I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND A FORUM ABOUT THE HATCH BACK FOCUS AND ITS WIRING PROBLEM INSIDE THE PROTECTIVE SLEEVE. SO I PEELED BACK PROTECTIVE SLEEVE AND SURE ENOUGH THERE WERE EXPOSED WIRES JUST LIKE THE THOUSANDS OF POSTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL MY CAR OFF THE ROAD BEFORE IT DIED, BUT WITH SEVERITY OF THIS PROBLEM THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.
Electrical system, May 3, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND THE BATTERY AND ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE HAZER LIGHT FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Other or unspecified, Apr 19, 2016
THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAS HAD ISSUES WITH TURNING WHEN FIRST INSERTING KEY. ON TWO (2) SEPARATE OCCASIONS HAS LEFT ME STRANDED. ONCE WAS WHILE I WAS LEAVING WORK AND ANOTHER WHEN TRYING TO GO TO WORK. THIS ISSUE HAS NOW COST ME A DAYS PAY AND A LOT OF HEADACHE. FORD HAS CLAIMED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NOT TURNING IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEREFORE WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL. AT THIS TIME I FEEL THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN ENOUGH PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE THAT FORD NEEDS TO DO RIGHT BY THEIR CUSTOMERS AND FIX THE ISSUE.
Suspension, Apr 18, 2016
REAR SUB FRAME CROSSMEMBER RUSTED AWAY AND BROKEN CAUSING REAR OF CAR TO BANG AND TWIST WHILE DRIVING.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A DRAGGING NOISE AND PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR FAN WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,153.
Steering, Apr 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Power train, Engine, Apr 1, 2016
THE CAR STALLS RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. ALL POWER IS LOST FOR STEERING AND BRAKES. HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR. HAPPENS IN ALL CONDITIONS AND UNEXPECTEDLY. CAR WILL RESTART. APPEARS TO BE A CURRENT "RECALL" OF FORD CARS FOR THE SAME ISSUES. DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHAT TO FIX AND CLAIMS TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THIS APPEARS TO BE A NEVER ENDING PROBLEM WITH FORDS BASED ON THE INFORMATION I SEE ONLINE. HAVE ALREADY REPLACED AIR HOSE, SPARK PLUGS, VALVE COVER GASKET, WIRES. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED BY OTHERS ONLINE TO CLEAN THE MAF SENSOR AND THROTTLE BODY, BUT THE DEALER DOESN'T REALLY KNOW IF THAT IS THE PROBLEM OR WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. TO THEM THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I CAN SEE FROM INFORMATION POSTED BY OTHERS ALONG WITH THE RECENT RECALL THAT THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM FOR FORD. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT AND HAVE ALMOST HIT OTHERS WHEN THE CAR STALLS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR MORE THAN 1 YEAR. RECENTLY STALLED 2 TIMES IN A WEEK WHILE DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Mar 22, 2016
MY REAR DOOR DOES NOT LATCH. BACK DOOR FLUNG OPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND TURNED LEFT.
Electrical system, Mar 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ *TR
Electrical system, Mar 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SIX OCCASIONS WHERE THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Steering, Feb 3, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A RETAINING WALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE RIGHT KNEE, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE OIL AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE BATTERY. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT A CLUSTER UNDER THE DASHBOARD, WHICH CONTROLLED ALL THE LIGHT SIGNALS, WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE "REPAIRED OR REPLACED." THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 04/08/16*LJ *CN
Electrical system, Dec 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO START. IN ADDITION, THE KEY WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Engine, Dec 10, 2015
THE PISTON SHATTERED AT 109,000 MILES. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND MANY MORE COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME THING. COME TO FIND OUT THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE ENGINE WHEN IT COMES TO THE VALVE SEAT. THIS HAPPENED IN THE #3 CYLINDER. THE WALLS OF THE CYLINDER WALL IS SO SCORED FROM THE DAMAGE THAT IT WILL REQUIRE A NEW ENGINE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AFTER SHOPPING. I TURNED THE KEY AND IT WOULD NOT START. IT ALSO MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE. BEFORE THAT, IT WAS RUNNING FINE. I HAD NO TROUBLE WITH MY CAR EXCEPT HAVING TO CHANGE AN ALTERNATOR. THAT'S IT. I CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AT 90,000 MILES. IT WAS FROM A FRIEND WHO IS OBSESSED ABOUT KEEPING CARS MAINTAINED. HE WOULD GET A TUNE UP, SERVICED, AND CHANGE THE OIL WHEN IT WAS TIME. THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED BY HIM. I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE ENGINE. BUT YET, THERE IS NO RECALL TO FIX THE FLAW. AND WHEN CALLING FORD, THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NO RECALL AND HAS NO INTENT AT OPENING ONE FOR THE FAULTY ENGINE.
Steering, Dec 4, 2015
WHILE PARKING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET THE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOOSE AND CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS LOST. WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND STOP THE CAR AT THE CURB. WE DETERMINED THAT THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE SHAFT HAD LOOSENED TO THE POINT WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NO LONGER MAKING CONTACT WITH THE SPLINES ON THE SHAFT.
Seat belts, Nov 11, 2015
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS COMING TO PIECES. IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING IS CHEWING ON IT.